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1807. 



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GEOGRAPHICAL DESGHIPTION 

OF THE 

STATES OF MARYLAND 

AND 

DELAWARE ; 

ALSO 

or THE COUNTIES, TOAVNS, RIVERS, BAYS AND 
ISLANDS. 

WITH 

A LIST OF THE HUNDREDS, 
IN EACH COUNTY. 



By JOSEPH SCOTT, 

AlTTHOR OF THE UNITED STATES GAZETTEER, TJBE 
MODERN GEOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY, A GEO- 
GRAPHICAL. DESCRIPTION OF PENNSYLVA- 
NIA, THE ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY 
FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS, &C. &C. 



PHILADELPHIA .- 

PRINTED BY KIMBER, CONRAD, AND C0« 

NO. 93, MARKET STREET, AND NO. 170, SOUTR SECOND 
STREET. 

1807^ 



Fls 



I 



District of Pennsylvania^ to wit : 

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-sixth 
day of May, in the thirty-first year of the Independence of 
the United States of America, A. D. 1807, Joseph Scott, 
of the said District hath deposited in this office, the title 
of a book, the right whereof he claims as author, in the 
words following-, to wit : 

** A Geographical Description of the States of Maryland 
<* and Delatoiircy also of the Counties^ Totons, Rimers^ 
** Bayst and Islands^ inith a list of the Hundreds in each 
"County. By Joseph Scott, author of the United States 
** Gazeueerythe Modern Geographical Dictionary, a Geo- 
-** graphical Description of Pennsylvaniat the Elements 
*' of Geography for the Use of Schools, l3^c. ^c. 

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United 
States, intituled, « An Act for the encouragement of Learn- 
ing, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, 
to the authors and proprietors of R<ich copies during the 
times therein mcntioncU." And also to the Act, intituled 
«« An Act supplementary to an Act, intituled, « An Act for 
the encouragement of Learning, by seciu^ing the copies of 
Maps, Charts, and Books, to th« authors and proprietors of 
such copies during the time therein mentioned," and ex- 
tending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engrav- 
'Ing, and etching historical and other prints." 

D. CALDWELL, 
Clerk of the District of Pennsyl^^anig: 



A GENERAL DESCRIPTION 



OF THE 



STATE OF MARYLAND- 



MARYLAND. 

EXTENDS, from E. to W. on the di- 
visional line of Pennsylvania, 198 miles. It 
is 138 from N. to S. but in some places, towards 
the W. it is not more than five, and at Hancock 
not more than two. 

It is situated between 38. O. and 39. 43. 
N. lat. and 0. 2. E. and 4. 21. W. of Philadelphia, 
or between 75, 11. and 79. 34. W, of Green- 
wich. 

It is bounded N. by Pennsylvania, E. by the 
State of Delaware, W. S. W. and S. by Vir- 
ginia, and S. E. by the Atlantic ocean. 

It contains 6,402,746 acres, including the 
rivers, but not the Chesapeak bay. 

The population was, in 1790 — 216,692 frcjp 
inhabitants, and 103,026 slaves ; and, in 1800-— • 
241,885 free inhabitants, and 107,707 slaves. 
The increase of free persons, in ^cn ye?^, 
xvas 25,193, and of slaves 3,681. 
B 



I 



2 Geographical Description 

If the lands in the state were equally divided 
jimong the free inhabitants, each would have 
26,47 acres^ 

NATURAL AND POLITICAL DIVISIONS. 

Nature has, by the Chesapeak bay and Sus- 
quehanna river, divided the state into two une- 
qual parts. ^ 

The whole state is divided , into f 9 counties, 
and these into hundreds, parishes, and election 
districts. That part E. of the bay is called 
the Eastern shore. It is divided^ into the 
following counties, viz. Worcester, Somerset, 
Dorchester, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Kent, Ce- 
cil, and Caroline. It contains 2,348,358 acres. 

That part W. of the bay is called the Wes- 
tern Shore ; and is divided into the counties of 
St. Marys's, Charles, Calvert, Anne Arundel, 
Prince George's, Montgomery, Baltimore, Har- 
ford, Frederick, Washington, and Allegany. 

This division is much the largest. It con- 
tains 4,054,388 acres. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, AND MOUNTAINS. , 

On taking a^iew of the surface of the state; 
its elevations, and depressions ; the course of 
its rivers, and the direction of its mountains, 
vre find that the Chesapeak occupies the lowest 

part, a? all the rivers, by which the state is 
Watered, flow into that bay. It may be said, 
with strictness, to occupy a large and extensive 



of the State of Maryland, -^ 

valley, extending about 270 miles N. andS. the 
lands, on each side, as the}* recede, rising in 
succession, to different elevations. 

The Eastern Shore is an extensive inclined 
plane, without stone, or gravel, descending by 
almost imperceptible degrees to the Chesapeak, 
from that ridge of elevated land which sepa- 
rates the waters that fall into the bay of Dela- 
ware from those that fall into the Chesapeak. 

The N. part of this division, adjoining 
Pennsylvania, is diversified with hills, and the 
soil intermixed with sand, stones, and gravel. 

On the Western Shpre^ there is a level 
trax:t of country, extending, jji breadth, on the 
W. side of the Chesapeak, from 6 to 10 miles. 
Thence westward the country becomes inor6 
elevated, and diversified with hills, each rising, 
above the preceding one, to the foot of the 
Appalachian or Allegany mountains, which 
form the great barrier between the AtlaxUic 
and Western States. This great range of 
mountains, extends from Pennsylvania, through 
the State into Virginia. The most easterly 
mountain of this range is th^ South mountain, 
thence westerly are Morth mountain. Will's, 
Evit's, Warrior's, Sidelinghill, and the great 
Allegany, beyond which, in the extreme W, 
parts of the state, is Savage mountain"; an<;^ 
several others. 



4 



Geographical Description 



RIVERS OF THE EASTERN SHORE. 



Few countries are better watered than this 
division of the State, land carriage being sel- 
dom more than ten miles. This is particu- 
larly true with respect to the southern counties ; 
notwithstanding there are few springs, and the 
well water is generally of an indifferent quality. 

Pokomoke river rises in the Cypress swamp, 
which is partly situated in the State of Dela- 
ware. It flows nearly S. about ten miles ; 
thence winding gradually to the W. enters the 
Chesapeak bay, in that direction, nearly oppo- 
site to the mouth of the Potomac. The Po- 
komoke is navigable several miles. 

Manokin is a short navigable river. It en- 
ters the Chesapeak, N. of the Pokomoke. 

Wicomico, a navigable river, which rises in 
Sussex county, in the State of Delaware, runs 
S. thence W.. falls into the Chesapeak bay. 
It is navigable 17 miles, 15 of which it has ten 
feet water. Bay craft, carrying from 1000 to 
3000 bushels, take in their lading within three 
miles of Salisbury, which is 20 miles from the 
mouth of the river. 

Nanticoke is one of the most considerable 
rivers on the Eastern Shore, about 45 miles in 
length. It rises in Sussex county, in the State 
of Delaware, flows S. W. and empties into the 
Chesapeak bay, on the S. side of Philip's Point. 
It received its name from a tribe of Indians, 
called the Nanticokes, who resided on its banks. 



of the State of Maryland, 5 

They emigrated to the State of New York, and 
live between Owegy, and a branch of the Sus- 
quehanna. It is estimated that tliey can mus- 
ter about 80 warriors. 

Choptank a considerable river. It rises in 
Kent county, in the State of Delaware, and 
pursuing a S. W. course, about 43 miles, turns 
suddenly to the W. N. W. and enters the 
Chesapeak, between Cook's Point, and Tilgh- 
man's Island. 

Wye is a short river. It empties into the 
Chesa|>€ak« 

Chester one of the largest, and most beauti- 
ful rivers on the Eastern Shore. It forms the 
boundary between Kent and Queen Anne coun- 
ties, rises partly in Newcastle, and partly in 
Kent counties, in the State of Delaware, it flows 
rn a W. direction, about 15 miles ; winds sud- 
denly to the S. W. by S. passes Chester town, 
and Kent Island, at the N. Ep point qf whicli 
it enters the Chesapeak bay, after a course of 
about 43 miles. It is navigable many miles. 
At Morgan's Creek it is 500 yards wide, at 
Chester, about 25 miles from the bay 575 ; at 
Corsica about half a mile ; and thence to thfe 
bay, varying, from one-fourth of a mile, to three 
miles. 

Sassafras river is about 15 miles in length. 
It rises in Newcastle county, in the State of 
Delaware, runs a S. by W. course, and empties 
into the Chesapeak bay. It is a beautiful little 
river ; is navigable some miles, passes George- 
town, and separates Kent and Cecil counties^ 
B 2 



6 Geographical Description 

Bohemia is a short navigable river. Rising on 
the borders of Newcastle county, in the State of. 
Delaware, it flows in a W. course, about six 
miles ; thence turning to the W. N. W. falls 
into Elk river, about four miles above Turkey- 
Point. 

Elk river is navigable several miles. It 
rises in Chester county, Pennsylvania, runs in 
a S. S. W. direction, about 33 miles, and enters 
the Chesapeak, on the S. side of Turky Point;, 

Hudson is a broad short river, emptying into 
the Bay, between Will's Point, on the N. and 
James Island, on the S. 

Third Haven is a small river, which rises 
near Easton, in Talbot county, and flowing in a 
S. S. W. direction, empties into Choptank riv- 
er, on the E. side of Benonie's Point. 

Tuckahoe is a considerable branch of Chop- 
tank river. 

North East river rises on the borders of 
Chester county, Pennsylvania, and passing 
Charleston, empties into the Chesapeak. Large 
quantities of shad, and herrings are caught in 
this river.* 

Hungary is a short river, in Porchester coun- 
ty. It enters the Chesapeak, opposite to Golds- 
bprough-s Island. 

Marshy Hope rS a considerable branch of 
Nanticoke river. It flows from Kent county, 
jn the State of Delaware, through a small part 
of Sussex, enters the Eastern Shore, in Care- 

* See tjlecilcountjf. 



of the State of Maryland^ 7 

line county, and running a W. course, passes 
through part of Dorchester, and unites with 
the Nanticoke. 

Besides these rivers, on the Eastern Shore, 
there are many creeks, which are either auxil- 
iary streams to the rivers, or empty imme- 
diately into the Chesapeak. These will be no- 
ticed in the description of the different counties, 
into which the state is divided, and in which 
they are situated. 

RIVERS ON THE WESTERN SHORE. 

This shore, although not so much intersected 
with rivers, as the Eastern Shore, yet it is bet- 
ter supplied with springs, as the country is more 
diversified with hills, 

Patapsco is a considerable river, formed by 
two large branches, one rising N. the other 
N. We After uniting they pursue a S. S. E. 
course to Elkridge-landing ; thence turning to 
the N, E. and E. receive Gwyn's and Jones's 
falls, two inconsiderable creeks. The latter 
empties into the basin of the Patapsco, at 
Baltimore. Pursuing a S. E, course, the Patap- 
sco enters the Chesapeak bay, S. of N. Point. 
The Patapsco is navigable, in ships drawing 
18 feet water, to FelPs Point, a detached part 
of the city of Baltimore. The distance is 16 
miles from the bay. The navigation is obr 
structedby falli a little above Elkridge-landing, 
which is nine and a half miles S. W. by W. of 
Baltim9re. 



8 Geographical Description 

Patuxent the largest river on the Western 
Shore. It rises near Par or Poplar spring, in 
the N. E. corner of Montgomery county, and 
running in a S. E. direction, separates that 
county from Anne Arundel. Continuing that 
course to within about two miles of Queen 
Anne, it winds to the S. passes that town, some 
miles below which, it receives Indian creek ; 
thence turning gradually to the S. E. enters the 
Chesapeak, in an E. direction, between Drum 
Point, on the N. and Hay Island, on the S. and 
about 18 miles N. of the Potomac. In its 
course, from Queen Anne, to Point Patience, 
which is five miles above Drum Point, it runs 
nearly parallel to the bay. It is navigable, in 
vessels carrying 200 tons, to Pig Point, six 
miles below Qneen Anne, and about 55 from its 
entrance into the Chesapeak ; and is from a 
mile to a quarter of a mile wide. It is naviga- 
ble in flats some miles above Queen Anne. 
The banks of this river are in many places, re- 
markably precipitous, so that vessels can anchor 
very near the shore. The soil, through which 
it flows, is a mixture of sand, and clay j and is 
rich. The plantations on each side are well cul- 
tivated, producing the largest quantities of the 
finest tobacco, and Indian corn. The Patuxent 
has two remarkable shoals, called the Pompo- 
siocias, one ^is situated between the town of 
Benedict, in Charles county, and Magruder's, 
opposite to Trueman's Point. It is occasioned 
by the action of the tide, and the current of the 
river, meeting at this place. The depth of 



of the State of Maryland, 9 

water on the bar, is not more, at high tide, 
than eleven feet. Below this Pomposiocia, 
oysters and drumfish ai'e caught, but none 
above it. 

The other shoal, or Pomposiocia, is situat- 
ed between Lower Malborough, in Calvert 
county, and Nottingham. It has nearly the 
same depth of water as the former, and is sup- 
posed to be occasioned, by the fresh of water 
flowing out of Spicer's creek, in Prince George's 
county. 

The Patuxent abounds, in the winter season, 
with rock, and white perch. They are caught 
when all the other rivers, remote from the bay, 
are frozen Over, This business has become 
profitable, since congress have removed to 
Washington city. 

Previous to the American revolution, the 
river Patuxent received, in the regular trading 
ships, from Great Britain, almost all the mer- 
chandise landed in Baltimore, Annapolis, and 
Alexandria, as well as the Eastern Shore ; but 
since the established English and Scotch 
houses, were broken up by that war, all the 
trade of this river has centered in Baltimore. 
All the tobacco from Queen Anne, Upper 
Marlborough, and all the public inspection 
houses on this river, is sent for sale, to that 
city ; and of late chiefly carried for inspection. 
This will, in a very few years, absorb all the 
warehouse interest of the Patuxent, and leave 
it a mere canal, for the transportation of 
country produce to Baltimore j and will ulti- 



10 Geographical Description 

mately prove an injury to the landed interest 
on the Patuxent, and Potomac. 

Severn is a short river. It rises near Elk- 
ridge landing, and flowing a S. E. course pas- 
ses Annapolis, on the N. and empties into the 
Chesapeak bay, about two miles below that city. 
It is navigable some miles above Annapolis. 

South river rises in Anne Arundel county, 
and flowing E. falls into the Chesapeak, about 
six miles S. of Annapolis. It is navigable 
about ten miles. 

West river is short, and navigable. It enters 
the Chesapeak S. of South river, in Anne 
Arundel county. 

Magothy rises in Anne Arundel county, and 
flows S, E, nearly parallel to Patapsco river, 
and falls, into the Chesapeak, about five miles 
S. of Bodkin's Point, at the entrance of the 
Patapsco^ It is navigable in boats some miles. 
The lands on each side, for some distance, are 
sandy and barren, and mostly cavered with 
pine. 

Bush is a short river in Harford county. 
It opens into the Chesapeak, about three miles 
N. E. of Gunpowder river, and is navigable 
almost its whole course. 

Gunpowder river is formed by the junction of 
two considerable streams ; one of which rises 
in York county, Pennsylvania, called Gi-eat 
and Little Gunpowder falls. They unite above 
Joppa, and running a S. S. E. course enter the 
Chesapeak, abovit eleven miles ajbove Patapsco 



of the State of Maryland, 11 

river. It is navigable but a few miles, on 
account of falls. 

Back river is in Baltimore county. It is 
short, and navigable ; and is formed by Her- 
ring run, and another small stream. They, 
on their junction, spread considerably, and en- 
ter the Chesapeak, after a course of about ten 
miles. At its mouth are two small islands. 

Middle river flows between Back river, on 
the S. W. and Gunpowder river, on the N. E. 
Its whole course is short. It is navigable in 
boats, and is, in some places, half a mile wide. 

Wighcomico is a short navigable river. It 
is formed by the junction of Allen and Piles 
Fresh, flows S. and enters the Potomac, on the 
E. side of Swan's Point, about 35 miles above 
the mouth of that river. 

Nanjemoy, a short river in Charles county. 
It enters the Potomac, about four miles S. W. 
of Port Tobacco. 

St. George's is a broad short river, in St. 
Mary's county. It empties into the Potomac 
N. W. of St. George's Island. 

Monocacy is a branch of the Potomac. It 
is formed by several small creeks, which rise in 
Adam's county, Pennsylvania. Flowing into 
Maryland, they unite, and running in a S. S. 
W. direction, fall into the Potomac, about 
five mile& above George town. 

Anti-Etam is another branch or tributary 
stream of the Potomac. It is formed by seve- 
ral small streams that rise in Franklin county, 
Pennsylvania. Running a S. S. W. course, it 



12 Geographical Description 

passes Elizabethtown ; thence turning to the 
S. meanders in that direction, and falls into 
the Potomac, three and a half miles E. S. E. of 
Shepherds town. In its course, through the 
State, it supplies water for turning 14 grist 
and merchant mills, and three forges» 

Conecocheague is formed by two branches 
that rise in Pennsylvania ; one in Adam's county, 
on the N. side of the South mountian^ called 
the East branch ; the other in Franklin county, 
called the West branch. They unite in Frank- 
lin county, about three miles N. of the divi- 
sional line of the State, and running S. flow 
through Maryland, and empty into the Poto- 
mac. 

A company has been incorporated, by the 
Legislature of Pennsylvania, for opening the 
navigation of this river, from the junction of its 
two branches to the Potomac. This, when 
accomplished, will prove of vast advantage to 
the farmers living on its waters, and their vi- 
cinity ; as it will afford a cheap and easy con- 
veyance of the produce of their farms, to 
Georgetown, Washington city, and Alexandria. 

Savage river, waters, with its auxiliary 
streams, a large part of Allegany county. It 
flows, in a S. course^ into the Potomac. The 
portage, from the mouth of this river, to the 
boatable waters of Cheat river, a branch of the 
Monongahela, which joins the Allegany, at 
Pittsburg, in Pennsylvania, and forms the Ohio, 
is about sr miles. 



of the State of Maryland, 13 

Youghiogany, and Little Youghiogany, which 
unite and fall into the Monongahela, in Penn- 
sylvania, both have their sources in the W. 
parts of the State. 

Susqitehanna is the largest of all the rivers 
which empty into the Chesajfeak bay. It is 
formed by the union of the East and West 
branches at Northumberland, in Pennsylvania. 
The East branch flows from Otsego and Otego 
Lakes, in the State of New York. After 
meandering in various directions, it enters a 
second time, the State of Pennsylvania, receives 
Tioga river, and several large navigable creeks, 
passes over Wyalusing, Wyoming, Nanticoke, 
and Nescopeck falls, in Luzerne county, before 
it arrives at Northumberland. It is navi- 
gable in boats, a great mi*ny miles, into the 
State of New York. 

.The West branch rises in Clearfield county, 
Pennsylvania. It flows easterly a great many 
miles ; thence turning S.- unites with the East 
branch. The West branch receives several 
large navigable creeks ; as Clearfield, Mushan- 
on, and Bald Eagle, on the S. Sinnemahoning, 
Loyalsock, Pine, and Lycoming, from the N. 
Muncy from the E. and White Deer Hole from 
the W. besides many others of less considera- 
tion. 

The Susquehanna flows from Northumber- 
land, in a S. course, and empties into the head 
of the Chesapeak bay, at which place it is about 
a mile and a quarter wide. It is navigable, in 
sea vessels, about six miles. The numerour. 
C 



14 Geographical Description 

rocks, which are lodged in its bed, with the falls 
of Bald Frier, and Peachbottom, obstruct the 
further navigation in vessels of that description. 

The Susquehanna is embanked by lofty hills, 
as far up as Middletown, in Pennsylvania, 
about 50 miles. The hills, in many places ap- 
proach so near the brow of the river, that there 
is not level space wide enough for two carriages 
to pass. Its course, through Maryland, is 
about ten miles. It flows with rapidity, and 
discharges more water into the Chesapeak 
than half the rivers which, empty into that 
immense bay. 

A canal has been cut on its E. side, by a 
company incorporated by the Legislature. (See 
public improvements.) 

The Potomac is a large navigable river, com- 
mon to this State and Virginia. It forms the 
boundary between the two States, from its 
source to its confluence with the Chesapeak bay. 

The Potomac flows from a spring, on the 
N. W. side of the Allegany mountain. Its 
course, from its source, to Cumberland, is 
N. E. Thence it meanders, in an E. direction, 
to the Conecocheague, which flows, from 
Pennsylvania, through Maryland, turning to the 
S. E. it receives the Shanandoah. Passing 
through the Blue mountain, it flows by several 
small towns, and on its way to the Chesapeak, 
passes Georgetown, Washington city, Alexan- 
dria, New-marlborough, Port Tobacco, Charles- 
ton, and enters the Bay, between Point Look- 
out, on the N. and Smith's Point, on the S«j. 



of the State of Maryland. 15 

It is navigable, in boats of considerable burthen, 
25 miles above Cumberland, receives seve- 
ral considerable auxiliary streams. Those 
from Maryland, are Savage river. Will's creek, 
Conococheague, Monocasy, Anti-Etam, the 
East branch or Anacostia, at Washington city, 
Port Tobacco, St. George's, and Wighcomi- 
co ; besides several creeks. It abounds in 
rockfish, sturgeon, drum, perch, &c. but 
above all in herrings. These are in the season, 
so numerous that, at one fishing ground, there 
have been caught, in one season, as many as 
amounted in value to 18,000 dollars. 

The Potomac is, at its mouth, seven miles 
and a half wide, at Namony bay, 30 miles higher, 
four ; at Aquia three j at Hallowing point 
one and a half j and at Alexandria one and a 
quarter. 

It has, at its confluence with the Chesapeak, 
seven fathoms water ; at St. George's island 
live ; and from Swan's point to Alexandria 
four ; thence to Washington city, three fathoms. 

The navigation, above Georgetown, is ob- 
structed by four considerable falls. The first, 
which are in the vicinity of Georgetown, are 
cdled the Little Falls. There the river de- 
scends about 36 feet, in three miles. The 
Great Falls, -^ which are six miles higher, de- 
scend 76 feet, in a mile and a quarter. Six 
jniles higher are the Seneca Fails. There the 
river deccnds about ten feet. About 60 miles 

* See page 36. 



16 Geographical Description 

above the latter, are the Falls of Shanandoah. 
The descent of the river is here about 30 feet, 
in three miles. 

The Legislatures of Virginia and Maryland, 
passed, in 1785, acts incorporating a company 
for opening the navigation of the Potomac. 
This laudable design has been carried into ope- 
ration, and has partly been accomplished. A 
canal has been finished at the Little Falls, 
above Georgetown, which is passable in boats, 
and the company is progressing with the others. 

The tributary streams of the rivers, in the 
hilly, and mountainous parts of the State, af- 
ford pike, trout, sunfish, suckers, catfish, eels, 
and fall fish. 

BAYS. 

The Chesapeak is one of the largest bays in 
the world. It extends, from the Atlantic ocean, 
through part of Virginia, and almost through 
the whole of Maryland, and is about 270 miles 
in length. Its entrance from the Atlantic, be- 
tween Cape Charles on the N. and Cape Hen- 
ry on the S. is in a N. V^, by W. direction. 
The breadth of this immense bay, is from six 
to 30 miles, with nine fathoms water, in most 
places. It affords many safe, and commodious 
harbours ; a safe, and easy navigation. Very 
few vessels are cast a shore, or lost in it. The 
Chesapeak contains several fertile islands, of 
great value to the proprietors. It is worthy of 
remark that all the principal islands are situat- 



of the State of Maryland. 17 

ed on the E. side of the bay. There are ten 
inconsiderable ones that lie contiguous to the 
Western shore. It receives the waters of a 
greater number of large navigable rivers than 
any other bay in the world. It receives the 
Susquehanna from the N. flowing many hun- 
dred miles, carrying with it, from its tributary 
streams, the superabundant waters of upwards 
of 30 millions of acres ; also the waters of the 
rivers, with their auxiliary streams, which wa- 
ter the whole State of Maryland, and part of 
the State of Delaware, and full one half of the 
State of Virginia, watered by the Potomac, 
York, James, and Rappahanock rivers. 

It has excellent fisheries for herrings, and 
shad. Many thousand barrels of herrings 
are annually cured at the Potomac, Susque- 
hanna, N. E. river, and other places, supplying 
the inhabitants of the inland country, and 
affording a considerable article of exportation. 
It also abounds in rock, drum, bass, carp, 
sturgeon, sheeps-head, mackrel, &c. with oys- 
ters, crabs, and a variety of other shell fish. 

The vast number of wild ducks which har- 
bour on this bay, and the mouths of the rivers 
which fall into it, exceeds belief. It is remark- 
able for a species of duck, called canvass-backjj> 
which is larger than the common wild duck'. 
Its flesh is free from the fishy taste of the 
others, and is exceedingly rich, tender, and deli- 
cate. Perhaps no v/ater foul surpasses it in 

C 2 



18 Geographical Description 

richness, exquisite flavour, and delicacy. Swans 
are also numerous. The gannet, fishing hawk, 
crane, geese, &c. are abundant in their proper 
season. 

Herring bay^ is on the W. side of the Chesa- 
peak, on the coast of Anne Arundel county^ 
It is situated between Parkers Island, on the 
N. and Holland point on the S. and affords 
abundance of herring, whence its name. 

Fishing bay^ is on the E. side of the Chesa- 
peak, at the mouth of Nanticoke river, which 
is the boundary between Dorchester and Som* 
erset counties. It receives the waters of Trans- 
quaking, Wicomico, and Black-water creeks. 

Sinepuxent bay^ is on the S. E. coast of 
Worcester county and Virginia. It is long, and 
narrovy^ : extending N. N. E. and S. S. W. 
parallel to the sea coast, opening into the 
Atlantic, by an inlet of the same name. Be- 
tween the bay, and the Atlantic, is a long nar- 
row strip of land, called Assatiegue Island. 
Newport creek, which is navigable some miles, 
empties into the bay. 



ISLANDS. 

Kent^ is the largest Island in the Chesapeak 
bay. It is fourteen miles in length, from N. 
to S. and six and a half in breadth, from 
E. to W. containing, about 29,000 acres. It is 
of a triangular figure, and is situated on the E. 
side of the bay, at the mouth of Chester river, on 



of the State of Maryland. 19 

the N. and Eastern bay, on the S. and is sepa- 
rated from the main land, by a narrow chan- 
nel. 

Some trade was carried on with this island, 
by the colonists of Virginia, before the charter 
of Maryland was granted to Ccecilius Lord 
Baltimore."^ Soon after he took possession of 
the country, he placed the island of Kent un- 
der the superintendance of a commander. By 
an act passed, in 1638, the commander had 
powers granted him to punish all offenders, 
within the island, with such corporeal correc- 
tion, not extending to life or member, as he 
should think the nature of the offence deserved ; 
and also to raise a military corps, for the de- 
fence of the island. It was early established 
a county. In 1650 it sent a deligate f to the 
general assembly. At this time there were 
only two counties in the colony, Kent island, 
and St. Mary's. It was declared, by an act of 
the general assembly, passed in 1695, a part of 
Talbot county ; but by a division of that 
county, according to an act passed, in 1607, 
it was added to Queen Anne, in which it is now 
situated. 

Eastern Neck Island^ is situated on the E. 
side of the ba^/, at the entrance of Chester 
river, and N. of Kent island. It is about three 
and a half miles long, and one and a half broie^, 
and contains 2,400 acres. 

* It was settled about three years before the charter of 
Maryland was granted. 

t Captain John Vaughan, Coraxnander> 



20 Geogi-aphical Description 

Spesutie Island^ is situated on the W. side of 
the bay, on the coast of Harford county. It 
contains 1,560 acres. 

Tilghman's Island^ contains about 1,700 acres. 
It is situated on the E, side of the bay, on the 
coast of Talbot county. 

The Three Sisters, are three srarall islands, on 
the W. side of the bay, on the coast of Anne 
Arundel county. They are situated between 
Parker's island, and the entrance of West 
river. 

Parker'^s Island^ is lal'ger than any of the 
Three Sisters. It is situated at the entrance of 
Herring bay, and near the Three Sisters. 

Pools Island^ lies on the W. side of the 
Chesapeak, near the coast of Harford county. 
It contains about 1,000 acres. It is S. E. of the 
mouth of Gunpowder river. 

Goldshorough Island^ is on the E. side of the 
Chesapeak, on the coast of Dorchester county, 
opposite the mouth of Hungaiy river. It con- 
tains about 2,200 acres. 

James Island, is situated at the mouth of 
Hudson river, on the coast of Dorchester coun- 
ty. It contains 1,670 acres. 

Hooper"^ s Island, is situated on the coast of 
Dorchester county, on the east side of the Bay. 
It is separated from the main land by^Hungary 
river, and contains about 7,300 acres. 

Barren Island, is situated on the east side of 
the Chesapeak bay, in Dorchester county. It 
is small, and lies opposite the mouth pf Patux- 



of the State of Maryland. 21 

ent river, on the Western Shore, On the S. E. 
it is separated, from Hooper's island, and the 
main land, by a narrow channel. 

X)eviPs Island, on the east side of the Che- 
sapeak, in Somerset county, is situated be- 
tween Manokin river on the south, and Fishing 
bay on the north. It is about four miles long, 
and one and three quarters Inroad, containing 
2,800 acres. 

Demiquarter, is a small island contiguous 
to Devil's island. Both islands consist mostly 
of marsh, notwithstanding they have several 
families living upon them. 

Sharp's Island, contains about 2,200 acres. 
It is situated on the east side of the bay, in 
Dorchester county. 

Poplar Island, is within the limits of Talbot 
county, on the east side of the Chesapeak. 
It contains about 2,000 acres. 

Holland Islands, a cluster of small islands 
on the east side of the Chesapeak. They are 
situate d between Smith's island, and the coast 
of Accomac county, in Virginia, and fiooper'e 
straits, at the entrance of Fishing bay. 

SOIL. 

The soil in the northern parts of the Eastern 
Shore, towards Pennsylvania, is a light friable 
earth of a red colour, intermixed, in many 
places, with stones, sand, and gravel. The 
bottom lands, on the rivers and creeks, con- 
sist of a black rich mould, exceedingly fertile. 



^2 Geographical Description 

In the middle counties the soil is pretty gene- 
rally a composition of eand and clay, but the 
latter predominates. Towards the Eastern 
Shore of Virginia on the south, and the At« 
lantic on the S. E. the soil is more sandy than 
in any part of the Eastern Shore. Here we 
find considerable tracts of sandy barrens, in 
some places as white as snow, producing hard- 
ly any timber but pine ; also several large 
marshes towards the Chesapeak, the lands be- 
ing nearly on a level with that bay, and the 
mouths of the rivers which fall into it. 

The soil, on the Western Shore, for some- 
miles west of the Chesapeak, differs very lit- 
tle from that on the Eastern Shore ; but that 
it is less fertile in wheat, and in many places, 
intermixed with a larger proportion of sand. 
Towards the head of the bay, the soil is a light 
friable earth, intermixed with some sand and 
gravel, resembling that on the north parts of 
the Eastern Shore, on the opposite side of the 
Susquehanna. In some places, particularly the 
low bottom grounds, on the rivers and creeks, 
the soil is a black, rich mould, fertile in wheat, 
and Indian corn. On advancing south, the 
sand, in many parts, appear to predominate, 
and in others it appears to be a mixture of near- 
ly equal parts, sand and clay. 

In the heat of summer, and in extremely 
dry wjeather, the sand becomes consequently 
ligliter than in moist weather. It is not un- 
common, in great droughts, when high winds 
arise, to see the sand raised from the fields of 



of the State of Maryland, 23 

maize, thirty or forty feet high, and carried 
to a considerable distance. If corn fields be si- 
tuated near the dwellings of planters, the drift- 
ing sand, in dry weather, and in high winds, 
enters every door and crevice, in like manner 
as drifting snow. 

About twenty or twenty-five miles from the 
bay, in a N. W. direction, the clay soil predo- 
minates, and on advancing toward the moun- 
tains, the sandy soil entirely disappears. The 
soil in the large valleys, between the mountains 
is a rich mould of a dark chocolate colour. 



STONES AND CLAYS. 

White and yellow flint, black stone, which 
contains a certain portion of iron ; soap stone, 
marble, granite, flagstone, sandstone, of dif- 
ferent colours ; whet stones, suitable for car- 
penter's edged tools ; blood stones, slate, lime 
stone, free stone, isinglass, plum pudding- 
stones, which are a concrete of iron ore and 
sand, intermixed with white, and other colour- 
ed pebbles. 

On the bay shore, below Carpenter's Point, 
stones have been found, when broken, with ca- 
vities resembling the impression of sea shells. 
In the sides of the hills, bordering on the Sus- 
quehanna, is great abundance of black, and 
grey stones, excellent for building. Large 
quantities are transported to Baltimore. There 
are large quarries of difl"erent kinds of stone, \h. 
Cecil, Baltimore, Harford, Frederick, Wash ■ 



24 Geographical Description 

ington and Allegany counties.* On the main 
branch of North East river, about two and half 
miles from tide water, is a large soap stone 
quarry. Stones have been dug out of it, from 
ten to twelve feet in length, from three to four 
in breadth, and not more than four or five inches 
in thickness. 

Yellow and red ochre, fuller's earth, pipe 
clay, of different colours ; besides other clays, 
also sands suitable for founderies. 

TREES, PLANTS, SHRUBS, &c. 

In many parts of the Eastern and Western 
Shore, are large tracts of pine barrens. The 
common growth of trees is black and white 
walnut, wild cherry, hickory, yellow poplar 
or tulip tree, white poplar, aspin, sycamore, 
chesnut, locust, elm, sour gum, sweet gum 
or liquid amber, white, black, red, Spanish, and 
chesnut oaks, willow-leaved oak of tv/o kinds, 
mulberry, ash, beech, birch, iron vyood, sas- 
safras, persimon, magnolia glauca, or swamp 
sassafras, maple, cucumber, willow, dog wood, 
service and fring trees, red bud, ground oak, 
savin, holly, laurel, spice wood, white thorn, 
black haw, wych hazel, cinkipin, common alder, 
black alder ; the latter bears red berries, which 
hang on the tree through the tvinter ; bladdernut, 
(staphyloea,) spindle tree, elder, red rod, papaw, 
hazel, lilac, ninebark, honeysuckle, huckleber- 
ry, red root, the leaves of the latter are used 
as a substitute for tft\ ; also iJackberries, dew- 
* See each county, 



of the State of Maryland. 25 

berries, raspberries, and strawberries ; besides 
several other trees and shrubs. 

The medicinal, and other plants, and roots, 
are Seneca snake, rattle snake and black snake 
roots, sarsaparilla, spikenard, Solomon's seal, 
ipecacuana, yellow pacoon, bastard indigo, 
bowman root, pleurisy root, dittany, a species 
of madder, senna, Indian turnip, Adam and 
Eve ; this plant has two bulbous roots, joined 
together by a small filament, about two inches 
in length ; when put into water, one of the roots 
swims, and the other sinks. Penny royal, arch- 
angel, St. John's wort, life everlasting, centu- 
ry, marjoram, and silver leaf, maiden hair, 
wood betony, wild comphrey, liverwort, gold- 
en rod, angelica, gentian, broom, wild car- 
rot, white hellebore, Indian hemp, this bears 
a pod which contains a down resembling cotton, 
Jerusalem oak, mountain tea, wood sorrel, se- 
veral species of ferns and mushrooms. The 
flower mushroom is a great curiosity. When 
it makes its appearance above ground, the co- 
rolla is nearly at full size, and bears some re- 
semblance to a tulip. It is of a whitish co- 
lour, with a slight tinge of red. The stalk 
rises to the height of about nine inches, with 
small transparent leaves, of about three fourths 
of an inch in length, of the same colour as the 
stalk, and corolla. The corolla is composed 
of six petals or floral leaves. There are ten 
stamina that contain the farina, surrounding a 
cup of a fungous substance, which stands in. 
the centre of the corolla. Shepherd's purse^ 
D 



26 Geographical Description 

mullen, common and white plantain, thorowax, 
ground pine, dwarf laurel, Jameson, careless, 
poke root, may apple, the root of which is a 
purgative, and answers the purpose of jalap, 
ramstead, lamb's quarter, snake weed, which 
is esteemed a safe remedy for the bite of a 
snake, nettles, dog fennel, toad flax, wild vine, 
blazing star, cinque foil, ground cherries, pursley 
and yams, which grow without cultivation, in 
tlelds, and open ground. The root is from fif- 
teen to eighteen inches in length, and nearly as 
thick as a man's leg. They are of the shape of a 
sweet potatoe, of a whitish russet colour. 
They grow at the end of a stem, about fifteen 
inches below the surface of the earth. The 
stem, or vine, above the^J^am, is about as thick 
as a goose quill, and spreads over the ground 
like sweet potatoe vines, which the leaves J^e- 
wise resemble. The blossoms are very hand- 
some, and very numerous, about the size of a 
rose, and the shape of a convolvulus or bell 
flower. The outer edge of the corolla is white, 
and the centre purple. 

There is no use made of these yams, hogs 
are exceedingly fond of them, but it is with 
difiiculty they can be procured, on account of 
their d^pth. 

Hydropeper, or water pepper, vulgarly called 
arsm-jft, gi* -vs in watery places, also about 
dunghills, ''\ \ out houses. It is not so large 
as the Eng'i-o hydiopeper, which is recom- 
mended in infusion or decoction, for the jaun- 
dice or dropsy; also in external applications 



(if the State of Maryland* 2T 

to dissipate bruised blood. Some use it for 
the tooth ach, as pepper, &c. Vs^e have not 
heard that the American hydropeper is used 
for any of the above purposes ; but it is likely 
it would succeed on application. It is some- 
times used with vinegar ; the leaves being 
pounded, as a remedy against poison. 

The state affords a great variety of grapes : 
as the black, purple, red, and white fox grapes ; 
chicken grapes, and a middle sized grape, of 
a purple colour, growing in clusters like the 
chicken grapes, but is distinguished from 
them, by having the sweetness and flavour of 
the fox grape. 

There are several species of the sumach ; 
as the rhus typhinum, or stag's horn sumach, 
the rhus copalliiium, rhus glabi-um, common 
or upland sumach, the leaves of which are 
us^ in dying, as a substitute for gaUs, the 
rhus taxicodendron, poison oak, the leaves of 
v/hich prove fatal to sheep that eat them in 
the spring. There is also another species of 
sui^ach, supposed to be the rhus vernix, or 
varnish tree. 

The most common kind of flowers, is 
wild and sweet brier rose, parthenian, and 
other violets, sweet William, bell flowers, 
yellow, pink, and scarlet coloured ladies slip- 
pers, swamp lilies, yellow, and white lupines, 
rock columbine, flower de luce, helianthus, 
and the spiral flower ; also a variety of others 
natural to the state. 



28" Geographical Description 



WILD ANIMALS AND FOWLS. 

The animals indigenous to the state, are the 
deer, wolf, bear, panther, raccoon, marten, 
otter, fox, oppossum, buffaloe, wild cat, skunk, 
or pole cat, ground hog, rabbit, squirrel, mink, 
mole, and musk rat. 

The wild turkey is seen only in the moun- 
tains, and parts adjacent. Ducks of different 
kinds, are very numerous, on the Chesapeak, 
and th5 mouths of the rivers which flow into 
that bay. The gannet, woodpeckers, red birds, 
pheasants, partridges, crows, mocking birds, 
black birds, woodcocks, whipperwills, plovers, 
bald eagles, geese, doves, larks, and robbins. 
Several kinds of hawks, owls, thrushes, tur- 
key buzzards, bats, these resemble a small 
hawk ; besides a great number of sea fowl on 
the S. E. coast, bordering on the Atlantic, 
and towards the lower parts of the Chesapeak 
bay. 

ORES. 

No ore, nor mine, has yet been discovered 
on the Eastern Shore ; and from the nature of 
the soil, and the low situation of the country, 
it is very probable that it contains none of any 
kind, if we except the iron ore found in the 
upper part of Cecil county. No one has yet 
been discovered on the Western Shore, for se- 
veral miles west of the Chesapeak. I'he ores, 



of the State of MarijlancL 29 

and mines, are found in the middle and west- 
ern parts of the state. In Montgomery coun- 
ty, in the north parts of Anne Arundle, in 
Bahimore, Frederick, Washington, and Alle- 
gany counties, are abundance of iron ore. A 
copper mine was discovered, several years ago, 
in Frederick county, near Libertytown ; and 
large quantities of excellent coal, in Allegany 
county. It is transported down the Potomac 
in boats, to the towns on the banks of that ri- 
ver. 

MINERAL SPRINGS. 

There are several mineral and sulphurous 
springs in different parts of the state. At Bla- 
densburg, in Prince George's county, is a fine 
chalybeate spring, to which a great many peo- 
ple resort in the summer months. It is im- 
pregnated with iron, and contains a great deal 
of carbonic acid or fixed air. The water is 
exceedingly clear, and remarkably cold. In all 
cases of debility the most salutary effects are 
produced from the use of it, and in many in- 
stances where it is drank for a few days, the 
appetite is increased. 

About twelve miles from Skipton, in Alle- 
gany county, is a warm spring, possessing si- 
milar qualities to those of the warm springs in 
Berkely county, Virginia. It is much resort- 
ed to, by people labouring under various com- 
plaints. Between three and four hundred as- 
semble at it in the summer season, from the 
D 2 



,^^0 Geographical Description 

adjacent counties. It is found efficacious in 
ramoving many complaints. It rises between 
two mountains ; and at the distance of thirty- 
yards, is another spring which, by its extreme 
coldness, astonishes every one. 

In Harford county are several mineral and 
sulphurous springs, but they have not yet ob- 
tained any celebrity by their cures. 

About twelve miles from, Cujnberland, in 
Allegany county, is a medicinal spring, which 
possesses strong sodorific, and cathartic quali- 
ties. The water is cold, and pleasant to drink, 
when drank freely, it greatly restores the ap.- 
patite. At the bottom of the spring, as the 
water boils out of the earth, innumerable little 
white substanc^es are seen, which when exposed 
to the open air, instantly evaporate. 

Coritiguous to Old town, in Allegany, are se- 
veral springs, so strongly impregnated with 
sulphur, that the waters will turn silver black, 
in about five minutes. 

In Somerset county, on the Eastern shore, 
are some weak Chalybeate springs. Barren 
creek springs are said to be impregnated with 
sulphur. They are the resort of much com- 
pany, in the summer months, on account of 
their medicinal quality. 



of the State Of Maryland, 3 1 



CURIOSITIES. 

One of the most remarkable curiosities, in 
the State, are the rocks of Deer creek, in 
Harford county, towards the Susquehanna, 
and York county, in Pennsylvania. Their 
appearance is highly romantic. They form a 
pile of huge rocks, placed one upon another, 
to the perpendicular height of 200 feet. On 
the top two seats are carved out, which accor- 
ding to tradition were the throne, from which 
the ancient Indian chiefs proclaimed the edicts, 
adopted in their councils. Tne ascent to the 
top is rugged and perilous ; yet many induced 
by curiosity, clamber up to it, from which there 
is a most delightful, and extensive prospect, 
of the adjacent country. 

On Easter Monday, annually, there is an as- 
semblage of nearly 500 people, who collect, 
from different parts of the country, to amuse 
themselves, and view this wonder of nature. 

On the main branch of North East river, is 
a considerable cataract. The water falls 99 feet, 
in the distance of about 50 perches, and rushes 
from rock to rock, which are from seven or 
eight to 20 feet beneath each other. The chan- 
nel is not more than four perches wide. It is 
pent in on each side by hills. When there is a 
liood in the river, the view of the fails is then 
particularly entertaining, highly picturesque, 
and romantic. The water rushes in large sheets 
over the falls, with great rapidity. The great 



^2 Geographical Description 

quantity of white foam below, in a constant 
state of agitation, and the spray which arises, 
forming a light cloud, and in which, at a dis- 
tance, is exhibited the most beautiful repre- 
sentation of the rainbow, the fence rails, and 
floating timber, pitching down, at one time 
imerging in the water below, at another bound- 
ing up in the air, the hills on each side, guard- 
ed by massive rocks, intermixed with trees, 
and shrubs, the oak, sycamore, and laurel, the 
tops of the rocks, in the summer crowned with 
the rock columbine in full bloom, near the 
head of the falls, on the brow of the rocks, 
the fragment of the wall of a grist-mill, just 
above a saw-mill, at a small distance, on the 
side of the hill a log building, about eight 
perches above the saw-mill, a wooclfenbridge, 
supported by stone piers, form one of the most 
interesting sceneries that can be imagined for 
the landscape painter. 

On the W. side of the Falls, is a small cave. 
It has an opening, on two sides, to admit the 
light, a convenient fire place in one corner, an 
opening in the top of the rocks, which terminate 
in a conical point, for the passage of the smoak ; 
on one side of the cave is a handsome birth, for 
a bed, a flat rock, in the side of the wall, 
It resembles the birth in the cabbin of a ship. 
The entrance of the cave is on the N. side, 
by a descent of about four feet. 

Within three miles of Cumberland, in Alle- 
gany is a large cavern. Its entrance is narrow, 
and of a perfect circular form. Those who 



of the State of Maryland. 33 

visit the cave, enter it feet foremost, and, when 
in, the tallest can stand erect. The direction 
of the cave is E. and on advancing it becomes 
more spacious, and lofty. It is of such extent, 
that hardly any one has ventured to explore it 
to its furthermost end. The exudation of the 
water has formed many beautiful, conical, and 
highly transparent stalactites, which hang, of 
various dimensions, from the roof. 

About ten miles from Old town, there is a 
remarkable cave in a brake, in Warrior's moun- 
tain. The mouth of the cave is about four 
feet wide, and at the depth of 30 feet are seve- 
ral large rooms. It is situated within about 
200 yards of a warm spring, distinguished for 
its healing qualities.* 

There is a remarkable cave near the South 
mountain, about 9 or ten miles frorii Hager's- 
town. 

One of the most interresting natural curiosi- 
ties, in the state, is the passage of Will's creek 
through Will's mountain, in Allegany county. 
It is culled the Narrows and Will's gap, and 
affords much matter for speculation, and con- 
jecture. Appearances strongly impress on 
the mind, the belief that Will's creek, formed, 
at some remote period of time, a large lake, on 
the N. W. side of the mountain, and that the 
force and pressure of the water, burst through, 
formed the creek below, and passed off to the 
Potomac. The great number of huge rocks 

5 See mineral Spring's . 



34 Geographical Description 

which have tumbled down, obviously from the 
mountain, on each side of the creek, and lying 
in promiscuous heaps below ; and the vast num- 
ber that are still hanging, and looking over, as 
it were, the precipice, confirm the mind in the 
belief, that a disrupture of the mountain has 
taken place, whether by the force and pressure 
of the v/ater, on the N. W. side ; an earth- 
quake f^or some other cause. That extra- 
ordinary changes have taken place in the face 
of our globe, and are frequently happening, in 
our own times, are familiar to every one ac- 
quainted with natural history, and Geography. 
We find a remarkable change has taken place, 
in the bed of the river Poultney, which rises ia 
Vermont, and forms part of the boundary be- 
tween that State and New York. The change 
took place, in June 1783, during a large flood 
in the river, and it had not in 1800, fully settled 
in its new formed channel*. 

In many of the rocks of Will's mountain, 
contiguous to the passage of Will's creek 
through it, are formed in the rocks, a great 
many marine shells, principally of the muscle, 
and clam tribe. 

The impression of the cockle shell is formed 
in rocks, near the head of the Chesapeak bay, 
in Cecil county. This is the more remarkable, 
as no shells of the kind are found near that part 
of the bay, 

* See Modern Geographical Dictionary, in four vol. 8ro. 
Philadelphia, published by the author ja cartbftt paptofi 



of the State of Maryland. 35 

About half a mile W. of the Falls, on the 
main branch of North East river, in Cecil coun- 
ty, and about five N. of Charleston, is Pros- 
pect hill, remarkable for the extensive, and 
delightful view, which it affords. The pros- 
pect extends down the bay to the distance of 
30 miles, the adjacent shores ; and, in the win- 
ter, by means of a spy glass, the river Dela- 
ware, and Jersey shore are seen, about 20 miles 
below Newcastle. 

The Great Falls of Potomac, about seven or 
eight miles above Georgetown, are considered 
one of the most magificient natural curiosities 
in the State. Many think that the passage of 
the river over these falls, is equal, in point of 
sublimity and grandeur, to its passage through 
the Blue ridge. The river here descends 
76 feet, in one mile, and a quarter. Less than 
a mile above the Falls, it is about 1000 yards in 
j breadth. At the Falls it is contracted to the 
! breadth apparently of only a few feet. This 
immense body of water, thus confined, wheels, 
boils, foams, and thunders, for sevsral hun- 
dred yards, through a stupendous body of huge 
rocks, before it arrives at the principal cataract, 
over which it dashes, with astonishing impetu- 
osity, the perpendicular height of about fifteen 
feet. The sound has often been distinctly 
heard, at the distance of 17 or 18 miles. 

We shall here notice a curious phenomenon of 
the beach tree. It is observed to distil water, 
like small rain, from the limbs, in the month 
of September. "This is owing to an innumera- 



36 Geographical Description 

ble number of small insects, which perforate 
the bark. Their bodies are about the size of a 
common ant, of a reddish or sandy colour, 
having four legs, on each side, and two small 
horns projecting from the head. Their tails 
turn up, on which there is a small tuft of down 
like cotton, about the size of a pea, from which 
project a number of white hairs three fourths 
of an inch in length, and of the same sub- 
stance. These are constantly vibrating over 
their backs, to and from their heads, like the 
pendulum of a clock. The ground, under the 
trees, is covered with a fine powder resembling 
wood ashes. 

Mount Arrarat is a conspicuous hill, on the 
E. side of the Susquehanna, about a mile and 
a half above the Lower ferry. The side next 
the river is remarkably steep and rocky. On 
the opposite side of Herronrun, about 40 rods 
distant, from Mount Arrarat, is a cave in the 
point of a hill, fronting the river. It is re- 
markable for being the residence of Lord Tal- 
bot, for about two years. Here he concealed 
himself, on account of having killed a Mr. Rose- 
ly on his passage from England. He was accord- 
ing to report, supplied daily with provisions, 
by two women, one of whom was named 
Touchstone. He was discovered in his re- 
treat by his little dog barking, at a small vessel, 
passing up the river, near the cave, was taken 
prisoner, and tried either in England or Vir- 
ginia. He received sentence of death, but was 
pardoned by his king. He gave to each of the 



of the State of Maryland* 37 

women who supplied him with provisions a 
small tract of land. The cave has lost much 
of its original beauty, the rocks having fallen 
away in front of it. In the bottom is a small 
spring of water. 

A breed of the Falcon, a species of hawk 
for hunting, much celebrated in England, in 
former times, is found on Mount Arrarat. It 
is conjectured that a pair of that species of 
hawk was brought to this country by Lord Tal.- 
bot. 

South of Annapolis is a large bank of oyster 
shells, which, when calcined, serve for building, 
though not so strong a cement as stone lime. 

CLIMATE AND DISEASES. 

The climate of the western, and mountain- 
ous parts of the state, differs very little from 
that of Pennsylvania. The seasons commence 
about the same time, and the rains, and snow 
which fall in the mountains, as in Pennsylvania, 
are more frequent than in the low fiat coun- 
ties, on each side of the Chesapeak. The air 
in the mountains, and western parts is as 
pure and salubrious, and the inhabitants a3 
free from diseases, as in any part of the Unit- 
ed States. This trac^ of country is inter- 
sected by numerous creeks, and abounds in 
springs of the purest limestone water. But it 
is very different on the Eastern and Westeru 
Shores. The country is low and level, for 
many miles, on each side of the bav= The wa- 
E 



38 Geographical Description 

ter, in tlie rivers, seems to have no current, but 
that which is produced by the gentle agitation 
which arises from the ebbing and flowing of the 
tides, in the bay, backwards and forwards ; 
hence the water is less pure, than in the hilly 
and mountainous parts of the state, and much 
less so, on the Eastern,, than on the Western 
Shore ; the latter being diversified by small 
eminences or little hills, and being more sandy, 
with a few exceptions, on the southern part of" 
the Eastern Shore, the water of their springs, 
in its subterranean passage, is filtrated, as it 
rises to the surface. It is said that hills and 
the repidity of rivers, and creeks, increase the 
circulation of the atmosphere ; and as the ri- 
vers and creeks, on each side of the bay, ap- 
pear to remain in a quiescent state, except the 
agitation produced by the ebbing and flowing 
of the tides in the Chesapeak, refreshing breezes 
are less frequent, and the atmosphere remains 
loaded v/ith the miasmata exhaled from the 
quiescent waters, and the large marshes situat- 
ed in low places. -This gives a character to 
■thfi climate of a large proportion of the state, 
widely different from that of the western coun- 
try ; and is the source of numerous diseases, 
almost or entirely unknown in the hilly and 
moimtairious parts. The country on each side 
of the bay is subject, in the summer months, 
to thunder gusts and lightning, accompanied 
with heavy rain. These afford only a moment- 
ary relief from the heat of the sun. The earth 
is moistened, coolied, and rendercd more fit for 



of the State of MarifiQiid, 39 

vegetation ; but when not followed by a brisl: 
-wind, the vapours which arise by the exces- 
sive heat, render the air nonelastic, more 
oppressive and debilitating, and less fit for re- 
spiration, as it has not a sufficient elasticity to 
give a full and vigorous expansion to the lungs. 

There is no part of the United States, iii 
which there is a greater uniformity in the cli- 
mate, than in all that country extending on 
each side of the Chesapeak, in the state of De- 
laware, and the south parts of Jersey. The 
seasons usually commence about the same time, 
in each succeeding year ; nor is the climate in 
the vernal, summer, and autumnal months^ 
subject to those sudden transitions, which so 
strongly characterize the climate of Pennsylva- 
nia. The spring sets in about two w-eeks ear- 
lier than in Pennsylvania, a,nd th-e western 
parts of the state, and the winter about as 
much later. The frost is mild; and the rivers 
not frozen over, as in the western country ; and 
snow seldom lies longer than eight or ten daysc 

The diseases which are most prevalent in 
summer, in the counties on each side of the 
bay, are the cholera morbus, and dysentry^ 
In autumn intermittents, remittents, diarheeas, 
and dysenteries, which prevail with great vio> 
lence, particularly in some districts of the 
Eastern Shore ; also billions fevers and drop- 
sies : and, after the autumnal equinGX, quoti- 
dian and tertian agues. In the winter and 
spring, rheumatism, neumonia, sore throat, 
and catarrh, are the most common diseases. 



40 Geographical Description 



MANUFACTURES. 

If Maryland has not risen to the first rank, 
among the large manufacturing states, she cer- 
tainly stands high in the second class. The 
unhealthiness of the climate, in a large propor- 
tion of the state, is an insurmountable obsta- 
cle ; besides the habits and prepossessions of 
the citizens, in that large tract of country ex- 
tending on each side of the Chesapeak, inclu- 
ding more than one half of the state. Mary- 
land will hardly ever become a manufacturing 
state. From her situation, soil, and produc- 
tions, no state in the Union can carry on coni- 
merce and agriculture to greater advantage. 
Agriculture and commerce are the two great 
scources of national wealth, to which her citi- 
zens ought to direct their attention. 

The principal manufacture is that of flour, 
of which large quantities are annually export- 
ed. Some of the largest, and best construct- 
ed merchant mills in the United States, are in 
the neighbourhood of Baltimore. At the fur- 
naces and forges are manufactured pig, bar 
iron, hollow ware, stoves, weights, &c. to a 
considerable amount. There are in the state 
eight furnaces, and fifteen forges, with seve- 
ral rolling and slitting mills. 

Sugar refining, beer, porter, spirits from 
domestic materials, cyder, castor oil,-^ paper, 

* See Brookeville. 



of the State t)f Moryland. 4 -I 

liats, gun powder, leather, shoes, boots, sad- 
lery, skins, axes, scythes, nails, drawing knives, 
sickles, muskets, combs, soap, candies, starch, 
hair powder, mill stones, and all kinds of farm- 
ing and culinary utensils ; besides rope making, 
and ship building, and wolleti cloths.* 

In our description of the counties, and 
towns, we will give a more particular account 
of the manufactures. 

Many of the planters, on the Chesapeak, 
south of Baltimore, raise cotton on their plan- 
tations. The phlox orxWool, is short. It is 
manufactured in their families, and though 
coarse., serves many useful purposes instead of 
linen. 

In East Nottingham, in Cecil county, the 
silk worm is propagated with considerable suc- 
cess. As many as twelve bushels of cocoons 
or balls have been produced in a season, by 
the care of one family; likewise two crops in 
a season, by exposing the eggs in a warm dry 
place. 



PRODUCE, FRUIT, FARMS, &c. 

Maryland produces tobacco, Indian corij. 
wheat, barley, oats, rye, spelts, buckwheat, 
fiax, hemp, cotton, potatoes, appricots, and 
hops ; also different kinds of cabbacrcs, carrots^ 
parsnips, turnips, with several kinds of pease. 

* See Cecil county, 
E 2 



42 Geographical D.escription 

beans, and sallads, water melons, musk me- 
lons, semlins, gourds, cucumbers, &c. 

The planters pay more attention to the culti- 
vation and improvement of their gardens, than is 
generally done in Pennsylvania. Their gardens 
afford a great variety, and abundance of the 
most wholesome esculent roots, and vegetables. 

Their orchards are not surpassed by any in 
the United States, in the abundance, variety, 
and excellence of their fruit. Several kinds 
of apples, pears, peaches, plumbs, and quinces j 
besides five or six different kinds of cherries, 
are found on almost every plantation. The 
apples are distilled into brandy, or made into 
cyder, which is equal to any in the Union. 
The brandy distilled from peaches, after being 
Icept five or six years, surpasses every other 
kind of ardent spirits, in the delicacy of its 
flavour. Many prefer it to the best Jamaica 
spirits, or Cogniac brandy. 

The plantations contain, generally, from 100 
to 500 acres. Some are larger, but the num- 
ber is few in proportion to the former. 

The planters towards the bay, build their 
houses upon some eminence, remote from the 
miasmata of the low marshy grounds, and stag- 
nant waters. Their dwellings, in the counties 
on the Chesapeak, are m.ostly of frame, ge- 
nerally painted brown or yellow. Some have 
brick dwellings. At a little distance from the 
dwellings of the planters, are the huts or quar- 
ters of their slaves. The number of slaves 
on a plantation is always in proportion to the 



ofihe Sjta-te of Maryland. 43 

wealth of the planter. Some have five, some 
ten, some fifteen ; there are some who have a 
great many morco He who cannot afford to 
pmxhase and maintain a slave, is considered in 
the lower counties, yqt^ poor indeed. 

Indian corn and tobacco, are the chief pro- 
ductions, in the lower counties, on the west 
side of the Chesapeak. It is not uncommon 
to see a field of Indian corn of from fifty to one 
hundred acres. Sweet potatoes are also raised, 
in these counties, and on the Eastern Shore, in 
great perfection. South of Baltimore cotton is 
raised almost on every plantation. The phlox is 
short, and the stalk dies on the approach of win- 
ter. Wheat is cultivated only by a few, and in 
small quantities, for the use of their families. 
On the Eastern Shore, wheat and Indian corn 
are the principal productions. They are rais- 
ed in large quantities, and of the best quality. 
The soil in the lower counties, on the west 
side of the bay, is generally unfit for the culti= 
vation of wheat. It is too light and sandy; 
the planters prefer raising Indian corn. It is 
more prolific than wheat, and serves more 
abundantly, the various purposes of supporting 
their families, and as an article of exportation. 

The western counties produce every kind of 
grain that is raised in the state. 
' The culture of tobacco, on the Eastern 
Shore, and on some parts of the Western 
Shore, is fast declining, as the planters find 
more profit in cultivating wheat, which always 



44 Geographical Description 

commands a ready market, and does not, as 
tobacco, impoverish the lands. 

The lands appropriated for the culture of to- 
bacco and corn, on either shore, afford but ve- 
ry little grass or herbage ; milk and butter are 
therefore scarce , and the latter of a very indif- 
ferent quality. There is abundance of pork, 
not inferior to any in the world, and a great 
many domestic fowls of different kinds* 

Wheat, Indian corn, and tobacco, are the 
staple productions of the state. 

Tobacco is always cultivated in rows. The 
seed, which is black, and exceeding small, re- 
sembling that of mullen, is sown in beds of the 
richest mould, from twenty to one hundred 
feet square. The planters prepare the beds 
the year before they sow the seed, by covering 
them with bramble. When the spring is so 
far advanced, that no apprehension is enter- 
tained of returning frost, the bramble is burnt, 
the bed dug up, and the warm ashes and earth 
mixed together. After reducing the earth, 
by a rake, to a fine mould, the seed is sown, 
and about the first of May, the young plants 
are sufficiently grown, when they are trans- 
planted, and set at the distance of three or four 
i&Q.t from each other. They are frequently 
hilled, and kept free of weeds. When as ma- 
ny leaves have sprung out, as the stalk can 
nourish to advantage, the tops of the plants are 
broken off, in order to prevent them from 
growing higher. The plants are carefuity kept 
free of worms j ^nd the suckers, which grow 



of the State of Maryland, 45 

out between the leaves, are regularly broken 
off from the stalk, as soon as discovered, till 
they arrive at maturity, which is in the latter 
end of August. The plants are then cut down, 
a peg drove into the stem of each, and hung 
up to cure, in large houses, built for that pur- 
pose. After hanging up a few weeks, the 
leaves sufficiently deaden, and become of a 
brown colour. The first moist weather that 
comes, the leaves are stripped from the stalk, 
and tied into bundles of six or eight. The 
bundles are put into heaps, and remain for 
eight or ten days, till they sweat. The heaps are 
then opened, the bundles dried, and again put 
into heaps, and so alternately till they are cured. 
They are then packed into hogsheads, con- 
taining 800 or 1000 weight. 

An industrious person can attend from 10,000 
to 15,000 plants, and six acres of Indian corn. 
About 6,000 good plants yield 1,000 pounds of 
tobacco. 

The finest tobacco produced in Maryland, is 
raised in part of Prince George's county, and 
on the west side of Anne Arundel, opposite 
to Queen Anne, on the Patuxent. 

The kite fox)t tobacco is said to be peculiar 
to this state. It is raised on the Patuxent and 
Patapsco rivers. The kitefoot is only the se- 
cond and third leaves of the plant. They are 
the first that shooi out, are longer exposed to 
the solar heat, arrive sooner at maturity, and by 
absorbing more of the sun's rays, become of a 
brighter yellow than the other leaves, but have 



46 Geographical Description 

not so much strength in them, or, in other 
words, possess less of the narcotic quality of 
the tobacco. 

The planters, who use tobacco, generally 
prefer the two or three leaves on the stalk im- 
mediately above those of the kitefoot quality. 
The kitefoot is mostly shipped to Europe. It 
is manufactured chiefly there into snuff, which, 
is a brighter yellow than the snuff made from 
the other leaves. 

The genuine white wheat is said to be pecu- 
liar to the counties of Qeen Anne, Talbot, and 
Kent, on the Eastern Shore. It is degenerat- 
ing, owing to the negligence of the cultivators, 
in not preserving it unadulterated, and to the 
belief that it is not so productive as the yellov/ 
wheat. 



PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. 

Maryland has not been backward in public 
improvements. What she has undertaken, has, 
in a great measure, been accomplished. 

The canal on the east side of the Susquehan- 
na, extending south about nine miles ; from 
near the Pennsylvania line to tide water, in 
that river, has been completed. It is thirty 
feet wide, and three deep ; with locks eighty 
feet long, and twelve wide. It is taken out of 
the Susquehanna, round the head of Love 
Island, through a chan^iel, partly natural, 
about 200 yards in length, and from forty to 



of the State of Maryland, 47 

fifty feet in width, joined to the canal by a 
stone dam, across the channel, at the foot of 
the island. The canal, with the entrance into 
the river, forms a spacious bason, easy of ac- 
cess for boats, and a safe harbour in time of 
floods : at the foot of the island, in the deep 
cutting of the canal, is a regulating lock, 15 
or 16 feet high, built of stone. From this to 
Bald Friar ferry, about three fourths of a mile, 
the canal, and Towpath bank, are guarded 
from the river, by a strong wall. From Bald 
Friar to the Conewingo is two miles. The ca- 
nal crosses that creek by a dam, and gates, and 
on the south side is a stop gate, and two locks, 
of eight feet each, built of stone. From Co- 
newingo to near Octorara creek, is about two 
and a half miles. In this distance, there is a 
strong wall, nearly half a mile in length, around 
Amos mountain. Here are three locks, of six 
feet eight inches each, built of stone, with a 
good stone house, for an ofRce. From this to 
Octorara creek is one eighth of a mile. It 
crosses that creek, by a dam 512 feet in length, 
and nearly twelve feet in height, built of tim- 
ber. The dam has a small curvature. It is 
greatly adml ed for the neatness and strength 
of the workmanship. On the south side is a 
stop gate , to defend the canal against the floods- 
in the creek. 

From Octorara to the tide water, in the Sus- 
quehanna, is about two miles and three quarters. 
In this distance are three locks, each eight feet 
three inches. From the lowermost of these 



48 Geographical Description 

locks, that empties into tide water, is a boat 
passage, about 250 yards in length, through 
which boats pass and repass at low water, into 
the lowermost lo#. 

The canal is abundantly supplied with water 
from Conewingo and Octorara creeks, afford- 
ing the finest mill seats. 

At Conewingo there is a fall of sixteen feet, 
with six acres of land ; at Octorara, a fall of 
twenty-eight feet, and six acres. This is a 
more eligible situation for a mill than that of 
Conewingo. At the tide about twenty feet fall, 
and eight acres, to build on. This is, on ma- 
ny accounts, a more preferable scite than either 
Octorara or Conewingo. The whole fall is 
fifty-six feet, clear of back water. 

Few places in the union are as susceptible 
of improvement, or possess more advantages, 
to men of capital, and enterprize. Situated 
near the head of the Chesapeak bay, with 
abundant supply of country produce, brought 
down the Susquehanna, whose waters drain a 
tract of country containing, at least, thirty mil- 
lions of acres. 

The canal was completed by a company, in- 
corporated, in 1783-4, by the legislature of 
Maryland, under the title of " The Proprie- 
tors of the Susquehanna Canal.'' It was cut 
under the direction of Mr. James Brindley, 
engineer. 

^ The legislature, by an act, passed in 1785, 
in conjunction with the legislature of Virginia, 
incorporated a company for the ptu'pose of 



of the ^ats of Maryland^ 49- 

opening the navigation of the Potomac. A 
canal has been cut at the Little Falls, above 
Georgetown. It extends upwards of three 
miles, the river descending, in that distance 
thirty-six feet. The united companies of Ma- 
ryland and Virginia are cutting a canal at the 
Great Falls, and removing the obstructions in 
the river. 

The canal by which it is proposed to connect 
the Delaware and Chesapeak Bays, commences 
near Elkton. The waters which are to supply 
the canal are taken out of Big Elk river, about 
three miles above Elkton. The feeder, through 
which the waters of supply are conveyed to the 
canal, is within half a mile of the town, and is 
made navigable in barges, with towing paths. 
The further progress of the canal is suspended, 
in consequence of the non-payment of several 
of the subscribers to the undertaking. It has 
thus far been carried on by a company incorpo- 
rated by the legislatures of Pennsylvania, Ma^ 
ryland, and Delaware. 

The great western turnpike which leads from 
Baltimore, by Ellicott's Lower Mills, Freder- 
icktown, Elizabethtown, Cumberland, thence, 
crossing the Allegany mountains, to Union 
town, in Pennsylvania, Brownsville, Washing- 
ton, and to Wheeling, on the river Ohio, in the 
State of Virginia, has been begun, and twenty 
miles of it completed from the city of Balti- 
more. It is expected that during the ensuing 
summer, it will be finished as far as Frederick- 
tovfn, which is forty-five miles on the turnnike. 
F 



50 Geographical Description 

At EUicott's Lower Mills, on the Great Falls of 
Patapsco, arched bridges, and extensive walls 
have lately been built. A wall of considerable 
height extends along the side of the road, next 
the water, three quarters of a mile, to prevent 
the road from being injured by the floods. The 
turnpike bridges and wails are executed in the 
most substantial manner. 

A road branches from the Great Western 
Turnpike at Fredericktown, passes through 
Winchester, and Staunton, in Virginia, and 
extends into the state of Tennessee. The ci- 
trzehs of Tennessee transport to Baltimore, 
along this road, large quantities of cotton. 
Another road branches from the Great West- 
ern Turnpike, at Ellicot's Lower Mills, pass- 
es Montgomery court house, and extends to 
Leesburg, in Virginia. 

On the Eastern Shore, and that part south of 
Baltimore, the roads, which are natural, are so 
excellent, that no artificial roads will ever, 
perhaps, be required. They are covered a few 
inches deep with a light sand, so that when 
rain falls, it almost instantly sinks into the 
earth. Though delightfully smooth and level, 
in the summer and autumn, when the sand is 
extremely dry and light, they are fatiguing for 
to travel upon, as the horses feet sink into 
the sand, which slides from underneath, in like 
manner as hard snow, when a little fi'ozen* - 



of the State of Maryla7id,. 51 



TRADE AND COMMERCE. 

The trade and commerce of Maryland have 
declined considerably, since 1799. That year 
the exports, according to a report of the secre- 
tary of the treasury, amounted to 16,299,609 
dollars, and, in 1805, six years after, the 
exports were to the amount only of 10,859,480 
dollars, but in 1806, they encreased to about 
14,600,000. 

There is no state in the Union, except New 
York, whose trade and commerce, have not 
met with fluctuations and depressions. We 
hardly can find a commercial country in the 
world, whose trade increases, in regular gra- 
dation, year after year. There is a point be- 
yond which commerce cannot be carried, in a 
uniform progressive state. Commerce, like the 
wide ocean, has its boundaries. It ought al- 
ways to be carried on in proportion to the po- 
pulation, wealth, and demand of thjose whose 
wants and luxuries are to be supplied. Bold, 
active, and enterprising men, eager to possess 
wealth and ease, may drive the commerce of 
a country beyond its natural progressive state ; 
but if the number of consumers do not increase 
in proportion, this forced commerce will sink 
down to its natural progressive standard. 

Numerous are the adventitious circumstan- 
ces which may ariie, to encrease or diminish 
the commerce of a country. 

The commerce of Maryland is highly re- 



32 Geographical Description 

spectable, and far beyond what one would ex-* 
pect from the extent and population of the 
state; but her commercial advantages are 
great, her merchants are active and enterpri- 
sing. She now ranks as the fourth commercial 
state in the Union, although about one-fifth as 
large as Pennsylvania, one fourthras large as 
New York, and one-third as large as Massa- 
chusetts. 

When the Great Western Turnpike is coi^- 
pleted, and the Susquehanna rendered naviga- 
ble, new sources of trade and wealth will be 
opened to her. There hardly arises a doubt^ 
but that she will then become the first commer- 
cial state in the Umon. 

The_trade of Maryland is almost entirely 
JX carried on from Baltimore. Sne trades with 
every maritime country in Eurof^e ; the East 
Indies, China, the West Indies, and with her 
sister states. No men stand higher, in a com- 
mercial view, than the merchants of Baltimore. 

The exports consist of fiour, in large quan- 
tities, wheat, Indian corn, tobacco, of the lat- 
ter about 23,000 hogsheads are annually ship- 
ped to Europe ; pig iron, kettles, pots, pans, 
staves, headings, shingles, cotton, large quan- 
tities of lumber ; also pork, butter, lard, beans, 
flaxseed, candles, soap, bees wax, cyder, and 
apples ; with a variety of other articles ; be- 
sides merchandize to a large amount which is 
re-exported. 

In return qre received coffee, wine, ardent 
spirits, sugar, the various manufactures of 



of the State of Maryland. 53 

Great Britain, in cotton, wool, silk, and iron ; 
linen from Ireland ; piece goods, pepper, spices, 
teas, &c. from the East Indies, and China. 

The exports amounted in 1790 to 1,945,899 



1791 


2,239,690 


1792 


2,623,808 


1793 


3,664,055 


1794 


5,686,190 


1795 


5,811,379 


1796 


9,201,315 


1797 


9,811,799 


1798 


12,746,190 


1799 


16,299,609 


1801 


12,834,543 


1805 


10,859,480 


1806 


14,600,000 



The tonnage, in 1804, amounted to 100,897 
tons ; 19,734 tons of shipping more than Penn- 
sylvania had that year. 



LEARNING, EDUCATION, &c. 

Although Maryland has greatly extended 
her commercial relations, encreased and en- 
larged her manufactures, and is daily making 
improvements in agriculture ; yet ' she has 
shamefully neglected to cultivate the arts and 
sciences. 

A knowledge of the arts and sciences cannot 
be too widely diffused throughout a state. 
F 2 



54 Geographical Descriptio?i 

Learning inspires obedience to the laws, lessens 
the number of crimes, and renders men fitter 
to discharge their various relations, as citizens, 
fathers, husbands, &c. The terror of the laws 
can never make men better or v/iser ; for we 
find, in all countries, that the law^s are either 
violated or respected, in proportion as the in- 
habitants are ignorant or enlightened. Hence 
it is the first duty of legislators, who are the 
national guardians, to adopt those salutary 
and efficacious measures, that will diffuse 
learning and knowledge among the citizens, as 
far as the finances of the state will admit. 

In all well regulated states, we find the en- 
couragement, and protection of learning, among 
the first considerations of the government. It 
was this that raised Greece and Rome, to that 
eminence, and splendour, which they possessed 
for centuries, above other nations. Without it 
-they would have, like the Scythians, Marco- 
manii, &c. remained barbarians ; their various 
acts of heroism would not have been recorded 
in history, nor would the hhman race, to day, 
be so far advanced in knowledge and civiliza- 
tion. 

Greece and Rome are the two great store- 
houses, from which modern literature has re- 
ceived its principal stock. 

By an act, 8 William III. passed in 1696, 
a seminary was established at Annapolis, call- 
ed King William's School. The trustees had 
power to hold property in lands to the amount 
of 1 ,5*00 pounds sterling, jind donations to any 



of the State of Maryland. 55 

aaiKAint, with the privilege of establishing a 
jKhool in each county- Notwithstanding no 
School was established by the trustees, but that 
at Annapolis. A new act was passed, in 1723, 
establishing schools in each county, under cer- 
tain restrictions, and each under the direction 
of five visitors. There were then twelve coun- 
ties in the province. To each school was ap- 
propriated not less than one hundred acri^s of 
land, and twenty pounds sterling a year for the 
use of the schoolmaster, under certain regula- 
tions anjd restrictions. Schools were establish- 
ed, and continued for a number of years ; till 
the funds were exhausted, and till a short pe- 
riod before the revolution. The country had be- 
come sc) populous, that the free schools, loca- 
ted as they were, became only partially useful, 
whilst their advantages were claimed by all. 
This occasioned a division of the funds, and to 
effect this division, a sale of the free school 
lands were made, in some counties ; in others 
the funds of two or three counties were conso- 
lidated, and a small tract of land purchased, 
with the assistance of personal subscriptions. 
Such was the case that gave rise to Charlotte 
Hall, v*-hich v/as ?ncorporated in 1774, In 
some counties the free school lands remain un- 
sold, as those of King Williams's school, at 
Annapolis. In many instances, the money ari- 
■sing from the sale of the free school lands, was 
lent on interest, till some suitable place could 
be fixed on to erect an academy. The revolu- 
tdon commencing, the money lent on interest 



56 Geographical Description 

was, in many instances, lost, by being paid in 
continental depreciated money, as low as two 
hundred for one. This was particularly the 
case in Charles and Prince George's counties. 
Had not the borrowers of the money, arising 
from the sale of the free school lands, in St. 
Mary's, Charles, and Prince George's, dealt 
thus fraudulently with the visitors, Charlotte 
Hall would, at present, be richly endowed, as 
the sale of the free school lands in those coun- 
ties, amounted to some thousand pounds, Ma- 
ryland currency. Although the sum was con- 
siderable, yet a sufficiency was not realized, 
without the aid of private subscriptions, to en- 
able the visitors to purchase the land on which 
the buildings are now erected. 

Charlotte Hall is situated at the celebrated 
Cool Springs of St. Mary's county, eight miles 
west of the Potomac, the same distance east 
of the Patuxent, and thirty-eight from Wash- 
ington city. The Cool Springs, which consist 
of seven or eight, v/ere early recognized, by 
the legislature of the province, for their salu- 
brious quality. We find, by an act, passed in 
1698, they v/ere called " the Fountains of Heal- 
ing waters," and public buildings were ordered 
to be erected, for the accommodation of such 
poor impotent persons, as should repair thi- 
ther for cure. They continued in high repute 
for a great number of years, and until within 
the remem.brance of several ?.gecl people now 
living ; but they have, for- these several years 
past, been almost entirely neglected. 



cf ihe State of Maryland, 57 

Chai'lotte Hall consists of three edifices, viz, 
the school house, which is about sixty feet by 
twenty-four ; a building for the accommodation 
of the principal, of the same dimensions ; and 
a building for the use of the steward, about 
sixty feet by thirty, two stories high, with 
kitchen, cellars, and outhouses ; all are built 
of brick, and neatly finished. The seminary is 
under the care of a principal, who has a salary 
of 1000 dollars per annum, a vice principal, 
with an annual salary of 666 dollars, T5 cents ; 
an assistant teacher of the languages, a French 
master, and an English master, each of whom 
has a salary of 400 dollars per annum. 

The number of pupils is from 90 to 120. 
Seventy are limited to the house of the stew- 
ard, the others are externs. Those who live 
with the steward pay each for boarding, wash- 
ing, mending, and bedding, thirty pounds per 
annum. If a boy furnishes his own bed, and 
large enough for two to sleep in, he pays but 
twenty-seven pounds ten shillings. 

The funds of the institution consist of a le- 
gislative grant of 800 dollars per annum, with 
2i0 acres of land, and 20 dollars a year from 
each pupil, which must be paid quarterly in ad- 
vance. 

It is under the superintendance of twenty- 
eight trustees, Calvert county being lately in- 
corporated v/ith the other three. The trustees 
must meet quarterly, or by a special call. Se- 
ven can transact the business of the institution. 
This oftjcn produces confusion, as they very 



58 Geographical Descriptzcn 

seldom all attend, and the rules, and regula- . 
tions, which are adopted at one meeting, are 
subject to be repealed at the next. 

Charlotte Hall is situated on the high lands, 
between the Potomac and Patuxent, upon a 
dry, sandy, and level plain, remote from stag- 
nant waters. 

I'he place is said to be as healthy as any in 
the United States. Nothing can afford m,ore 
satisfactory evidence than the uninterrupted 
health, which so large a number of boys, have 
enjoyed since its first establishment. 

No place is more abundantly supplied with 
provisions. The rivers Potomac, and Patux- 
ent, abound with rock, sheepshead, sturgeon, 
perch, herrings, crabs, oysters, he, and a va- 
riety of v/ild fowl. 

A post office has been established at Char- " 
lotte Hall, and some genteel builings lately 
erected. The mail passes through once a week. 

The w^ater which issues from the Cool 
Springs, is sufficient, at the distance of half a 
mile, to turn a grist mill. 

The othor seminaries of learning are, an 
academ.y at Fredericktov/n, one in Somerset 
county, on the Eastern Shore, called Washing- 
ton Academy, and one in Baltimore. 

There is no endowed college in the state. 
The college in Georgetown is supported by the 
tuition money, and private subscription j and 
St. Mary's College, in Baltimore, in like man- 
ner. 

St. Pvlary's College is in high repute ; and 



of the State of Maryland, 59 

the pupils pretty numerous. ^ It has generally 
from 120 to 150 boys, but the expense of edu- 
cation is very high, at least 400 dollars per an- 
num, for each pupil, found in every thing ne- 
cessary. 

Washington College, at Chestertown, on the 
Eastern Shore, was incorporated in 1782, with 
a permanent fund of 1,250 pounds a yearj and 
St. John's College at Annapolis, in 1784, with 
a permanent fund of 1,750 pounds. 

Both of these colleges were abolished, by 
an act of assembly passed in 1805. 

Annapolis has always been considered by 
thinking men, a very unfit place for the esta- 
blishment of a college. The inhabitants are 
rich and extravagant. The expense of educat- 
ing a small boy, amounted annually to between 
400 and 500 dollars. This sum was beyond 
the reach of men of moderate fortunes, espe- 
cially if they had more than one boy to educate j 
so that from the extravagant expense of edu- 
cation, the college dwindled into a mere gram- 
mar school, and useful only to the inhabitants 
of Annapolis, whose children alone the legis- 
lature did not think themselves authorised to 
educate. It is said that under the principal, an 
able and attentive man, there were no more 
than three pupils, in the higher class, for which 
he received a salary of 500 pounds a year. 

The state having given 1,750 pounds annual- 
ly to St. John's College, and finding that the 
citizens, generally, could derive no advantage 
from the institution, abolished it, and appro- 



60 Geographical Description 

priated the money to small county schools, in- 
creasing those schools in proportion to the po- 
pulation, and extent of the several counties. 
This, if carried into operation, would bring 
the advantages of education almost to the door 
of every man in the state. 

The circumstances which apply to St. Johnrs 
College, do not apply to Washington College, 
at Chestertown. I'he inhabitants are not over 
rich, nor are they extravagant. Boarding and 
lodging are cheap, and the amouat of tuition 
reasonable ; so that boys could be educated at 
much less expense than at St. John's ; besides 
Chestertown was, from the thinness of its po- 
pulation, free from those amusements, dissipa- 
tions, and vices, incident to a more wealthy 
and populous town. 

The college edifice vv^as erected by private 
stibscription. The legislative grant, of 1,250 
pounds, is also applied to promote the esta^ 
blishment of county schools, yet there is not 
one public school in the county of Kent. Tliis 
discovers a shameful remissness in the national 
guardians, or in those that they have invested 
Y/ith the power. 



RELIGION. 

The most numerous religious denominations, 
in Maryland, are the Episcopalians, Method- 
ists, Roman Catholics, and Presbyterians j be- 
sides these there jare Gerniifi Calvitiissi^ stti4 



of the State of 3Iaryland. ^ 

Lutherans, Quakers, Baptists, Menonites, and 
Nicolites. 

MILITIA, 

According to the returns, from the different 
counties of the state, filed in the council cham- 
ber, the militia, in 1795, consisted of 38,443 
effective men. Since that the state has consi- 
derably encreased in population; so that the 
present number of the militia, may be estimat- 
ed at upwards of 40,000. 

GOVERNORS AND LIEUTENANT 
GOVERNORS. 

The charter of Maryland, granted by Charles 
II. to Ca^cilius Lord Baltimore, is dated the 
20th of June, 1632. Leonard Calvert arrived 
at Point Comfort, in Virginia, on the 22d of 
November, 1633. 

The following is an authentic list of the Go- 
vernors, and Deputy Governors, down to the 
present. 

1633 Leonard Calvert, Lieut, Governor, 

1647 Thomas Greene. 

1649 William Stone. 

1654 Commissioners under the English Par- 
liament. 

1658 Josias Fendall. 

1660 Philip Calvert. 

1662 Charles Calvert. 

1676 Charles Lord Baltimore, Proprietary j 
G 



62.- Geographical Descriptiou 

16/8 Thomas Notely. 

1681 Charles Lord Baltimore, Proprietary. 

1689 The government seized by the crown 
of England. 

1692 Lionel Copely, appointed by William 
and Mary. 

1694 Francis Nicholson. 

1699 Nathaniel Blackiston, by ife^ing Wil- 
liam III. 

1704 John Seymour, by Anne, 

1709 Edward Lloyd. 

1714 John Hart. Anne dies. Geotge I. 

1715 The government restored to the Pro- 
prietary, who continues Hart. 

1720 Charles Calvert. 

1727 Benedict Leonard Calvert. 

1732 Samuel Ogle. 

1733 Charles Lord Baltimore. 

1735 Samuel Ogle, Lieutenant Governor. 
1742 Thomas Bladen. 
1747 Samuel Ogle. 

1751 Frederick Lord Baltimore becomes 
Proprietary, continues Ogle. 

1752 Benjamin Tasker. 

1753 Horatio Sharp acted till the 6th of 
- June, 1769. 

1768 Robert Eden. August 1st. 
1777 Thomas Johnson. February 13th. 
(\j^ 1779 Thomas Simlee. November 8th. 
1782 Thomas Paca. 15tha 

1785 William Smallwood. 17th. 

1788 John Eagar Howard, 21st. 

1791 George Plater. i4th. 



of the State of Maryland. 63 

1792 Thomas Simlee. April 3d. ^"- «^^ <xLa:^ 
1 794 John Hoskins Stone. Nov^emSer 1 7th. 

1797 John Henry. 13th. 

1798 Benjamin Ogle. 14tho 
1801 John Francis Mercer. 9th. 
1803 Bobert Bowie. 14th, 
1806 Robert Wright. lOthe 



A list of the Secretaries to the Governor and 
Council. 

1 ^'t^ Richard Ridgely, appointed Mareh 20. 
1792 Thomas Johnson, junior. 

1794 John Kilty. November. 

1795 Ninian Pinkney. July 4th. 



A GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION 

OF THE 

COUNTIES AND TOWNS. 



ST. MARY'S. 

A maritime county, on the Western Shore, 

"-lining 201,414 acres. It is about 60 miles 

igth, and 15 in breadth; and is bounded 

1 by Patuxent river, which separates it 

Calvert county, east by the Chesapeak 

north v/est by Charles county, and south 

le Potomac, which divides it from Virgi- 

is the oldest county in the state, being es- 
shed in 1637 ; and is divided into the four- 
en following hundreds, viz. Upper Resurrec- 
Chaptico, Upper St. Clements, Lower 
Clements, Upper Newtown, Lower Resur- 
lon, Lower Newtown, Poplar Hill^ Har- 
, St. George's, Upper St. >Iary's, Lower 
Mary's, St. Inegoes, and St. Michael's, 
t contained, in 1790, 8,559 free persons, 
6,985 slaves ; and in 1800, 7,300 free per= 
s, and 6,399 slavey. 



of the State of, Maryland, 65 

The assessable property, in the county, is 
estimated at 467,000 pounds. 

The soil is, in general, light and sandy, ex- 
cept on the river bottoms ; where it is not so 
light, and extremely fertile, producing Indian 
corn, y/heat, rye, and tobacco ; which are the 
staple productions of the county. Farming is 
fast gaining the ascendancy over the planting 
of tobacco, which exceedingly impoverishes the 
land. On the high lands, remote from the wa- 
ters, the most common growth of trees is hick- 
ory, oak, gum, and chesnut, and on the rich 
bottoms ash, poplar, and walnut. 

That part of the county cleared by the first 
emigrants, is generally covered with pine, and 
cedar, which are of a quick growth. They 
much improve the soil ; for a few years after 
the land is again cleared, the crops are as abun- 
dant, as that which was first raised by the Abo- 
rigines. 

The fresh and salt waters abound in rock, 
perch, mackarel, trout, crocus, herring, and 
cat fish. Sheepshead are caught only in the deep 
mouths of creeks, and edge of the bars, on the 
river shores ; but not in such abundance as the 
former. The drum fish is next, in estimation, 
to the sheepshead. It is mostly taken on the 
deep bars, a few miles from the shore. As 
many as 3,000 have been taken, by the seine, 
at one haul, and frequently hundreds are so 
caught, in the spring season. Oysters and 
crabs, may be had in the greatest quantities 
and perfection. 

G 2 



66 Geograpliicctl Description 

Geese, swans, and various kinds of ducks, 
from the commencement of autumn to the end of 
winter, crowd in flocks to the flats and river 
shores ; particularly those of the Potomac ; 
while many visit the inlets. The wild geese of- 
ten feed in the open fields, and in the adjacent 
fields of green wheat. The gannet, fishing 
hawk, bald eagle, and crane, are constant visi- 
tors, during the spring and sunamer months. 

Leo towriy formerly Lconardtown, the capital 
of the above county, is situated at the head of 
Britons Bay, five miles above its entrance into 
the Potomac, and 40 above the mouth of that 
river. The town was established, in 1729, and 
contains 50 acres, divided into lots of eight 
perches by 20. The streets intersect each other 
at right angles, except one which runs oblique- 
\y from the courthouse. The town plot rises 
gradually from the bay. That part built on, is 
a high and healthy situation, but does not com- 
mand that beautiful viev/ of the water which is 
obtained from the top of the eminence. 

The county courts, Orphans court, board of 
commissioners of the tax and levy court, hold 
their sittings here. The public buildings are a 
court-house and jail. It contains about 100 
houses, including the handsome and commodi- 
ous dwelling of Mr. John T. Mason, which 
commands an extensive and delightful view of 
the Potomac, and Virginia shore, and the ad- 
jacent country for man^y miles round the town, 

Leo town is 68 railes from Washington city^ 



of the State of Maryland, 67 

about 113 from Baltimore, and 227 S. W. of 
Philadelphia. 

Chaptico^ a post office, situated on a small 
creek of the same name, which falls into Wico- 
mico river. It is seven miles N. by W. of Leo 
town, and 56 from Washington city. 

St, Inigoes^ a post office 93 miles from Wash- 
ington city. 

R'ldge^ a post office 93 miles from Washing- 
ton city, 

Charlotte Hall^ see Learning, education, &:c, 
page 5S, 

KENT. 

A fertile county of the Eastern Shore, esta- 
blished in 1638. It is bounded N. by Sas- 
safras river which divides it from Cecil count)', 
E. by New-castle, and a small part of Kent 
county, in the state of Delaware, S, by Ches- 
ter river, which separates it from Queen Ann's 
county, and W. by the Chesapeak bay. It is 
32 miles and a half in length, from Field's mill, 
near the head of Sassafras river,to Eastern Neck, 
at the mouth of Chester river, and Thirteen in 
breadth, from Chester river, opposite the mouth 
of South East creek to Gresham Hall, on the 
Chesapeak. It contains 223,163 acres ; and in 
1790, 7,403 free persons, and 5,433 slaves ; and 
in 1800, 7,290 free persons, and 4,474 slaves -, 
decrease of free persons in 10 years, 113 j and 
of slaves 959. 

Although the county is not intersected by 
any river, yet it is well watered by a great num- 



Q8 Geographical Description 

ber of creeks, and rivulets, which empty into 
the Chesapeak, on the W. Sassafras river, on 
the N. and Chester river, on the S. Those that 
fall into the Bay are Still Pond, Churn, Worton, 
and Farley ; those that fall into Chester river 
are Gray's Inn, Swan, Langford's bay, Ratcliff, 
Morgan's, and Prickly Pear ; those which en- 
ter the Sassafras are Pearce's,Turner's, Lloyd's, 
and Quidley's. 

In the bay, and rivers, are caught abundance 
of drum, rock, shad, herrings, crabs, oys- 
ters, and a variety of small fish. Sassafras ri- 
ver is particularly famed for herrings, and shad 
of uncommon excellence. 

Wild fowl, particularly ducks, geese, and 
swans, are very plentiful j besides a considera- 
ble number of partridges, and other small 
game. 

Kent county is one extensive level plain, de- 
scending towards the Bay, by imperceptible 
degrees. The soil, in general, is of a superior 
quality. It produces abundant crops of wheat, 
and Indian corn, which are the chief produc- 
tions of the county. Tobacco, rye, oats, flax, 
and potatoes, are also cultivated ; besides a great 
variety of fruit, esculent roots, and vegetables, 
which are raised for domestic use. 

The most common growth of trees is oaks, 
of different kinds, and hickory ; also walnut, 
chesnut, ash, and gum, which are interspersed 
through the woods ; besides a variety of shrubs, 
and plants of various kinds. There are few or 
^iO pines in any part of the county, except, one 



of the State of Maryland, 69 

tract which abounds with them, and is called 
Pine Neck. 

The county is divided into 12 Hundreds, 
viz. Lower Langford's bay, Eastern Neck, Up- 
per Langford's bay, Chester town, Chester, 
Worton, Morgan's creek, Chappie, Lower 
South Sassafras, Upper South Sassafras, 
Georgetown, and Head of Chester. It is like- 
wise divided into three parishes ; the Lower is 
called St. Paul's, the middle Chester or I. U. 
and the upper Shrewsbury. 

The inhabitants have always been remarka- 
ble, even in the most unfavourable times, for a 
similarity of character with those of Kent in 
England, few emigrants from other countries 
having ever settled among them, to change or 
eifect their manners. Among them we find a 
general equality, and independence. Perhaps 
no county in the State, and few in any other 
State, presents so equal a distribution of land- 
ed property. The mass of the people are hos- 
pitable, kind, industrious, well informed, and 
regular in their morals. 

The prevailing religion are the Episcopal, 
Quaker, and Methodist, the last is the most nu- 
merous. The Episcopalians have four churches 
for public worship ; the Quakers two, and the 
Methodists six. 

Chestertoxvn^ The seat of justice, and the 
most considerable town in the county. It is 
situated on the N. W. side of Chester river, 
upon a beautiful, and extensive plain. The 
plot of the town, which was established in 1706, 



70 Geographical Description 

contains one hundred acres, laid out in an ob- 
long, diverging on both sides, on approaching 
the river. It contains 140 houses, 41 of which 
are of brick, several of them built in a stile of 
elegance. High street contains about seventy- 
houses, is 90 feet in width, and 180 perches in 
length. The public buildings are all of brick. 
The court-house which, though not very large, 
is one of the most conveniently constructed in 
the state. 

An office for the clerk, and register of the 
county, A goal, a handsome Episcopal church, 
and a Methodist meeting-house, not long since 
erected. It is a neat convenient building. 

All these are contiguous, covering a piece of 
ground in the centre of the town, laid out for 
public use. 

The Poor-house stands on a line with High 
street, but at some distance beyond the limits 
of the town. It is a convenient three story 
building. The institution is well supported, 
and is attended with extreme diligence and 
care. The monies expended annually for the 
support of the poor, amount to about 3000 
dollars. 

There is a small market held in Chestertown, 
twice a week. It is profusely supplied with 
provisions of all kinds. 

The edifice which bore the name of Wash- 
ington college, is built upon a beautiful emi- 
nence , on the Philadelphia road, affording, on 
all sides, an extensive, and delightful view. Be- 
low is the town, with charming rural scenery, 



of the State of Maryland, 71 

on every side. The whole enlivened, and ren- 
dered more variegated, and fanciful, by the va- 
rious windings of Chester river. 

No town, on the Eastern Shore, possesses so 
many local advantages as Chestertown. An 
uninterrupted, and safe navigation, of 25 miles 
to the Chesapeak, the climate healthier than al- 
most any other part of the Eastern Shore, 
abundance of excellent water, and a fertile, 
and well cultivated surrounding country ; but 
the proximity of Baltimore has monopolised 
the trade of Chestertown, as it has done of all 
the other ports in the state. It carried on for- 
merly sTome foreign trade^ but it has been aban- 
doned these several years. In the to%vn are se- 
veral retail stores, which supply the inhabitants 
of the adjacent parts, with West India produce, 
and the various manufactures of Europe. A 
packet, exceedingly well accommodated, sails 
once a week to Baltimore. 

The police of Chestertown is under the di- 
rection of seven commissioners, who are elect- 
ed by all the citizens above twenty years of 
age. They have pov/er to levy on all real pro- 
perty, not exceeding twenty cents in the hun- 
dred dollars. 

ChestertoAvn is 37 miles N. E. of Easton, 78 
S. W. of Philadelphia, 60 E. by S. of Baltimore 
by water, and 90 by land, 101 from Snowhill, 
and 89 from Washington city. 

Lat. 39. 12. N. long. 0. 57, V/. of Philadel- 
phia, and 76. 10. W. of Greenwich. 

Bridgetoxvn^ a small post town, situated on 



72 Geographical Description 

Chester river, at the head of navigation. It 
contains about 40 houses. The situation is ex- 
tremely unheakhy. A strong bridge is built over 
the Chester, which opens an easycommunication 
with Sandtown, on the opposite side of the ri' 
ver, in Queen Ann's county. It is 22 miles 
N. E. of Centreville, 18 E. of Chestertown, 
and 120 from Washington city. 

Georgetoiun^ is situated on the S. side of Sas- 
safras river, at the mouth of Quidley's creek, 
1 7 miles from Chestertown. It was establish- 
ed in 1736. The streets cross each other at 
right angles, and that part of the plan which is 
not interrupted by Sassafras river and Quid- 
ley''s creek, forms a perfect square. It is divid- 
ed into 142 lots, the average size of each, is 
about half an acre. It contains about 40 
houses, a Presbyterian church, and a flourishing 
school. There is a ship -yard on the river, which 
has launched many very fine schooners, and 
brigs^ The trade, and intercourse, with Balti- 
more emplovs several packets. The situation 
of Georgeto^vn is one of the most healthy on 
the Eastern Shore. 

Georgetoivn cross roads^ a small post town, 
one mile from Georgetown, 16 from Chester- 
town, 65 from Philadelphia, and 105 from 
Washington city. 

RockhcIL is situated on a small harbour^ 
which opens, round a long bar, into the Chesa- 
peak, extending from Swan point, nearly oppo- 
site to the mouth of Patapsco river. It is an 
old established ferry to Annapolis, and Balti- 



of the State of Maryland, 73 

more, and is 23 miles N.E. byE. of the former, 28 
E, S. E. of the latter, and 14 from Chestert jwn» 
It is one of the most regular, and best attended 
ferrys on the Chesapeak. The packets are 
large, and commodious. They sail, and return. 
on stated days. A line of mail stages is esta- 
blished, on this route, betv/een Washington ci- 
ty, and Wilmington, in the state of Delaware. 
The stages pass through twice a week. 

The lands in the vicinity are low, and level ; 
and the soil light, and sandy ; and well adapted 
to raising vegetables, and Indian com. 

That part of Kent county S. of Rockhall, i-^ 
called Eastern Neck. It extends to the mouth 
of Chester river, and forms a peninsula about 
eight miles long, and one and an half broad. 
On the W. is the Chesapeak, S. and E. Ches- 
ter river, and Gray's Inn creek which rises near 
Rockhall, and falls into the Chester. The 
lands of the peninsula, consist of a rich light 
mould, which produces excellent crops of v/heat^ 
and Indian corn. 

The lands of Rockhall, and its vicinity, are 
valuable on account of the extraordinary,- quick 
growth of timber. If the fields remain unculti- 
vated 18 or 20 years, they become overgrown 
w^ith pine, and white gum ; many of which are 
sufficiently large for masts, and spars. Rock- 
hall is 70 miles from Washington city. 

Sxvantoxvn^ a small village, three miles from 
Georgetown. 

H 



T4 Geographical Description 

ANNE ARUNDEL. 

This county was established the 29th of 
April, 1650. It is bounded E. by the Chesapeak 
bay, which separates it from Kent, Queen 
Ann's, and Talbot counties, on the Eastern 
Shore, N. by the river Patapsco, which divides 
it from Baltimore county, S. by Calvert, 
and W. by Patuxent river, which separates it 
from Prince George's county, and N. W. by 
the same river, which divides it from Montgo- 
mery county. 

It is 55 miles in length, and 26 in breadth j 
and contains 416,016 acres. 

In 1790, it contained 12,468 free persons, 
and 10,130 slaves; and in 1800, 12,865 free 
persons, and 9,760 slaves. 

The principal rivers are Severn, South, West, 
and Magothy ; besides the Patapsco, and Pa- 
tuxentj which border it on the N. and W. 

The soil is generally light, and sandy. Be- 
tv/een Severn and Patapsco, and along Mago* 
thy river, are large forests of pine barrens. 
Along the Patuxent, South river, and the Che- 
sapeak, the lands are rich, producing abundant 
crops of Indian corn, and tobacco ; with flax, 
cotton, and wheat, in small quantities. 

The trees, most common to this county, are 
pine, cedar, oaks of every kind, chesnuts, wal- 
nuts, hickory, poplar, maple^ ash, beech, and 
elms. 

Anne Arundel contains mines of iron ore. 



of the State of Maryland, 75 

for the manufacturing of which two furnaces, 
and two forges, have been erected. The iron 
ore is found in the N. W. part of the county, 
near the borders of Baltimore county. 

It is divided into the following hundreds, 
viz. Annapolis, Middle Neck, Town Neck, 
Broad Neck, Magothy, Upper Road river, 
Lower Road river, West river, Lyons creek, 
Lower Herring creek, Herring creek, Elkridge, 
Huntington, Bear ground, Patuxent, Patapsco, 
Severn, South river, Upper Toole, and Elk- 
ridge landing. 

Annapolis^ the metropolis of the state, and 
the seat of justice for the above county. It is 
situated on the S. W. side of Severn river, 
about two miles above its entrance into the 
Chesapeak, 28 S. by E. of Baltimore, 130 S. 
W. of Philadelphia, and 40 from Washington 
city. 

The original plan of the city was designed in 
the form of a circle, with the state house in the 
centre, and the streets, like radii, diverging 
from it. The greater part of the houses are 
built according to this plan, which makes them 
have an irregular, and confused appearance ; as 
the streets are but partly built. It contains 
about 320 houses, which are chiefly built of 
brick. Many of the houses are large, and ele- 
gant; as those generally of Philadelphia, or 
Baltimore. 

The state house is built upon an eminence, 
which commands an extensive view of the Che- 
sapeak, and Eastern Shore. It is a 1^^-:^ and 



^6 Geographical Description 

superb building, said to have cost 30,00O 
pounds. It has several apartments occupied 
by the public offices of the state ; besides those 
belonging to the legislature. In the great 
bail are generally held the courts of justice. 
The other public buildings are a church for the 
Episcopalians, one for Methodists, a market 
house, a small theatre, and the edifice called St. 
John's College"^. The Episcopal church is 
large and elegant. 

The harbour is on the E. side of the city, it 
IS large, and commodious ; but the worms 
which are bred in the water, are extremely in- 
jurious to the bottoms of vessels, that lay there 
any length of time. Annapolis was originally 
called Severn. It was erected, in 1683, into a 
town, port and place of trade^ under the name 
of "the Tov/nland at Proctors." In 1694, it 
leceived the name of Anne Arundel town ; and 
in 1695, the assembly held a session in it, and 
gave the town its present name. The county 
courts were removed thither, and a church was 
built ^vithin the fort, v/hich Vv- as made a parish. 
It vv^as incorporated, by an act of assembly, 
passed in 1696, and ]>laced under the direction 
of seven commissioners. A state house was built 
in 1697; and in 1699, it was declared the chief 
place, and seat of justice, within the province, 
for holding assemblies, and provincial courts. 
The state house was burnt in 1704, with many 

n 

* See L earing-, education, &c. page 59. 



of the State of Maryland, 77 

of the records of the state. It was declared, 
by a charter granted by Queen Anne, the 22d 
of Nov. 1/^08, a city and corporation ; and is 
governed by a mayor, recorder, six aldermen, 
and ten common council men. The mayor is 
chosen by the aldermen, annually, on Michael- 
mas day. The common council are elected an- 
nually by the freemen. 

Lat. 38. 59. long. 1. 2^0. W. of Philadelphia, 
and 76. 43. W. of Greenwich. 

Tracey^s landings a post office 60 miles from 
Washington city. 

Poplar Springs a small village in the N. end of 
the county, on the road between Baltimore and 
Fredericktown. 

RoxvavUs cross roads^ a post office 29 miles 
from Washington city. 



BALTIMORE. 

This county was the third that was er€cte<i 
in the province. It was established some short 
time before the year 1663; and is 45 miles 
from E. to W. and 36 from N. to S. It is 
bounded N. by York, and Adams counties, in 
Pennsylvania, N. E. by Harford county, S. E. 
by Chesapeak bay, W. by Frederick county, 
S. W. by a small point of Montgomer}^, and S. 
by Anne Arundel county. 

Baltimore county contained in 1790, 19,557 
free persons, and 5,877 slaves ; and in 1800, 
25,696 free persons, and 6,830 slaves. 
H 2 



78 Geographical Description 

It is divided into the following hundreds, 
viz. Middlesex, Soldiers delight, Pipe creek. 
North, Gunpowder, Upper Patapsco, Lower 
Patapsco, Upper Delaware, Lc^er Delaware, 
Upper Middle river, Lower Middle river, Up- 
per Back river, and Lower Back river. 

It contains 622,084 acres. 

The soil for about 8 miles round the city of 
Baltimore is thin ; in some parts it is cold, and 
stiif, but tolerably vrell timbered ; in other 
parts it is light and sandy, covered with scrub- 
by timber, and black jacks, a species of very 
diminitive oak. All the land in the county^ 
with a fe\y exceptions W. of Gv/yn's falls, is 
thin ; but on the head waters of Gv/yn's falls, 
Jones's falls, and on Western run, a branch of 
Gunpowder river, the land wa^ originally good, 
abounding in white limestone, and extending to 
within about ten miles of Baltimore city. Se- 
veral quarries of marble have been opened in 
this part of the county, about ten miles from 
the city of Baltimore. It receives a very good 
polish, but is not much variegated. 

In the Necks, or small peninsulas, o^ Back, 
and Middle rivers, and on the Bay^ the land is 
VQvy level and fertile, but unhealthy. From the 
lovv^situation, and abundance of water, the inha- 
bitants are subject, in the autvimnal months, to 
intermittents. 

The land throughout the county is very 
much impoverished, and xrorn out by the cul- 
ture of Indian corn, and tobacco. Very little 
tobacco is now cultivated ; the farmers raising; 



of the State of Maryland, 79 

A\heat, rye, Indian corn, Sec. In the Gunpo\y- 
der settlement, and on the Western run, are 
many excellent farmers. They have, within 
these few years, by a liberal use of plaster of 
Paris, very much improved their impoverished 
lands J so that they can now raise 25 bushels of 
wl\eat, and 40 of Indian corn, on the lands which 
some years ago did not produce one third that 
quantity. 

The upper part of the county, tov/ards Penn- 
sylvania, consists mostly of barrens, and is a 
thin, light, chesnut soil. The trees most com- 
mon are black and white oaks, chesnut, and 
chesnut oak, &c. About three miles W. of 
Manchester, the limestone land commences, on 
the head waters of Big Pipe creek, and conti- 
nues down that creek into Frederick county. 
These lands are rich, producing good crops of 
wheat, Indian corn, rye, buckwheat, and pota- 
toes ; with flax, hemp, turnips, &c. 

The wild fowl in the N, parts of the county 
are, turkeys, pheasants, partridges, &c. About 
nine miles below Manchester, on the hills adja- 
cent to Gunpowder falls, are some wild deer. 
Three or fourv^'ere killed in the spring of 1806. 
For several m.iles along each side of Gunpowder 
falls, the county is very hilly, covered with small 
bushes, called ground oaks, which afford an ex- 
cellent harbour for deer and turkeys. A few 
wild deer have harboured on these hills these 
many years. 

About two and a half miles from Manches- 
terj is a qura-ry of free-stone, which affords 



80 Geographical JOestription 

small tomb stones, and sills for doors, and win- 
dows ; and about 14 miles is an extensive lime- 
stone quarry, which furnishes stone very little 
inferior to marble. Stones may be had out of 
the quarry 10 feet long, and six broad. They 
split well with wedges, and may be procured al- 
most of any thickness. The quarry is about 20 
miles from Baltimore, preat numbers of them 
are taken to that city. 

There are extensive quarries of common 
stone on Gwyn's, and Jones's falls, from one 
to three miles from Baltimore. It is these 
quarries which principally supply the inhabi- 
tants of Baltimore city, with stones for build- 
ing their cellars, and for kerbing the footways 
of the streets. 

At Ellicott's lower mills, on the Patapsco is 
a very extensive quarry of grey granite, which 
dresses very well. Blocks may be got out of 
the quarry, without a joint or crack, 20 feet long 
to square three or four feet. The stone is hard, 
and of a bright colour, which it always pre- 
serves. 

About four miles above Ellicott's lower mills, 
on the Patapsco, is an extensive hill of lime- 
stone. 

It is said that about four miles W. of Man- 
chester, in a high rocky hill on the headwaters 
of Big Pipe creek, silver ore has been found. 
Some years ago a man dug considerably into 
the hill, and obtained an ore, generally suppos- 
ed to contain silver. The man was very poor, 
and his poverty compelled him to relinquish the 



of the State of Maryland. 81 

undertaking, though not without the belief that 
the hill contained abundance of silver ore. 

Baltimore county contains vast quantities of 
iron ore, in different parts. About four miles 
N. and W. of Manchester is an extensive bed, 
which supplied the Mary Anne furnace, in York 
county, Pennsylvania ; but that furnace has 
fallen to decay. There are large banks of iron 
ore between Baltimore city, and Elkridge land- 
ing. Several furnaces and forges have been 
erected, and in operation for many years ; but 
from the scarcity of w^ood, they have for these 
some years past been discontinued. 

There are but two forges, and one furnace in 
the county. One is situated on Patapsco falls, 
half a mile above where that stream unites with 
the tide ; the other on the falls of Gunpowder. 
about tv^^o miles above tide water, and the fur- 
nace about five miles W. of the forge. Here 
are large quantities of iron ore, but from the 
scarcity of v/ood, the furnace and forge cannot 
be of long continuance. 

No county in the state contains so great a 
number of large valuable mills as Baltimore. 
In a circle round Manchester of about nine 
miles, are 20 grist and saw mills, and an exten- 
sive paper-mill on Gunpowder falls. Some of 
the largest, and most valuable merchant mills in 
the United States, are in the neighbourhood of 
Baltimore cit}^, atthe falls of Patapsco, Jones's, 
and Gwyn's. Within about 1 8 miles are upwards 
of 50 capital merchant mills. Severa] of which 
are not surpassed by any in the United States- 



82 Geographical Description 

Twelve of the merchant mills are within four 
miles of the city, on Jones's falls, besides those 
on Gwyn's falls. 

The Ellicott's Baltimore mills, belonging to 
Messrs. Jonathan, Elias, George, and John El- 
licott, and carried on by Messrs. Andrew Elli- 
cott, jun. Thomas EUicott, and John Ellicott, 
jmi. are perhaps the most elegant, and valuable 
mills in the United States, or perhaps in the 
world. They are situated on Gwyn's falls, two 
miles W. of Baltimore city, on the great Wes- 
tern turnpike road*. The water course which 
is a mile and a quarter in length, was cut at a con- 
siderable expense. One third part of that dis- 
tance is hewn out of the solid rock ; and in some 
places walls 35 feet high, and 15 thick, are built 
to support the canal. The water in this dis- 
tance has a fall of 66 feet. Adjoining the turn- 
pike, three mills have been erected, each with a 
fall of 22 feet. The mills are so constructed 
that the water, after turning the first, descends 
through a subterraneous funnel to the second, 
and so in like manner to the third. The two 
uppermost are constructed on a similar plan. 

They are each 80 feet long, 40 wide, and five 
stories high. The three lower stories are built 
of stone, and the two upp&r stories of brick. 
Each mill has four pair of seven feet stones, and 
three water wheels. They are so constructed 
that all the water wheels geer into each other, 
so that each of the three wheels perform their 

* See public improvements, page 49. 



.\*r: 



of the State of Maryland. 83 

proportion in turning the fourth pair of stones. 
Each of the mills can manufacture 150,000 
bushels of wheat in a year. The running work 
of these mills are substantial, plain, and simple. 
Considering their size, and form, they exhibit 
in their construction great mechanical ingenuity. 
The four pair of seven feet stones in each mill, 
the bolting works, elevators, hopper boys, con- 
veyors, fans, screens, packing jacks, the machi- 
nery for cleaning the wheat, &c. move with so 
little noise and clattering, occupy so little room, 
and are so placed out of the way, that any un- 
acquainted with the mills, even cliildren, may 
go through them where they please, without ex- 
posing themselves to any danger. In this, and 
almost in every other respect, those mills are 
unequalled by any in the world. 

The third, and lowermost of the three mills, 
is not so large as the others. The two lower 
stories are of stone ; and the two upper are of 
frame. It has two pair of seven feet stones, 
and can manufacture 100,000 bushels of wheat 
a year. 

Contiguous to the mills is a com kiln, built 
on a new construction. It can dry, in a day, 
1000 bushels of corn or wheat, with three fourths 
of a cord of wood. It is so constructed that 
the grain does not, in the smallest degree, be- 
come smoaked, as is common with other kilns. 
The drying of wheat, in a moist season, or short- 
ly after harvest, is found very beneficial; for 
kiln-dried wheat flour will keep for years, and 
retain its sweetness. 



84 Geographical Description 

The three mills are situated within 120 feet 
of each other. 

The same gentlemen have built another mill, 
of stone, half a inile above the former three. 
It is a neat substantial mill, 36 feet by 30, and 
two stories high, with two pair of stones ; one 
6 feet diameter, the other five. It is turned 
by the waste water, and can manufacture 
40,000 bushels of wheat in a year. 

On Gwyn's falls, about half a mile below the 
Ellicott's mills, and the same distance above, 
Mrs. Carroll's mill, is a mill belonging to Mr. 
James Carroll, occupied by Carroll and Brice. 
It is an elegant building, erected on the same 
construction as those of the Messrs, Ellicott's ; is 
60 feet long, 40 wide, and four stories high, 
with two water wheels, and three pair of stones, 
six feet each in diameter. It can manufacture 
in a year, 100,000 bushels of wheat. 

Above Ellicott's mills a mile and a half, on 
Gwyn's falls, is a powder mill, worked in a ve- 
ry extensive manner. On the same creek, 
about six miles from Baltimore, is a compleat 
mill, belonging to Mr. Albert Seekamp, It 
can manufacture 30,000 bushels of wheat 
in a year. About twelve miles from Bal- 
timore, on the same stream, are three mer- 
chant mills, a saw mill, and a rriill for grind- 
ing plaster of Paris. These are handsome 
brick buildings, with two water wheels each, 
and three pair of stones, live feet in diameter. 
They are situated, as the Ellicott's mills, one 
above the other, so that the water w^ich turns 

/ 



of the State of Maryland, 85 

tlie first, passes on and turns the second, and so 
with the third. These mills are capable of ma- 
nufacturing 150,000 bushels of wheat in a year. 

They are situated on the main Reisterstown 
turnpike, and are the property of Mr. William 
Owings. The mills, with the handsome im- 
provements, and extensive meadows, render 
this a delightful place, perhaps as in the whole 
county. 

On Jones's falls the first and second mill, are 
owned, by a watering company, associated for 
the purpose of conveying water, by means of 
iron pipes through the lower part of the city=^% 

The fifth mill is owned by Mr. William Pat- 
terson and Captain Streaker. The ninth is 
owned by Mr. James Ellicott, and the tenth is 
owned by Mr. Elisha Tyson. On the same 
water, is a mill of considerable consequence, 10 
miles up the stream. It is the property of Mr, 
Richard Caton. At the mouth of Gunpowder 
is a mill, which is built on an extensive plan, 
with five pair of seven feet stones. It is the 
property of Mr. William Patterson, and is ca- 
pable of manufacturing 150 barrels per day. 
On Herring run, four miles from Baltimore, is 
a mill belonging to Messrs. Smith and Buchan- 
nan. It is built on the old construction, and is 
capable of manufacturing 20,000 bushels of 
wheat in a j'^ear. There is another mill on the 
same water, belonging to Mr. Daniel Rowley^ 
It is built on the old construction. 



See Baltimore. 
I 



86 Geographical Description 

About four miles above EllicGtt's lower mills, 
on Pierces run, is a neat mill, built by the inge- 
genious mill-wright, and mechanic, Joseph 
Evans. 

There are a great many more mills in the vi- 
cinity of Baltimore, and in different parts of 
the county. See EUicott'S lower mills, page 90. 

Baltimore^ the largest, and most flourishing 
commercial city in the State, established in 
1729. It is situated in the above county, on 
the N. W. branch of Patapsco river, and ex- 
tends from Harris's creek, on the E. to Ridg- 
ley's cove. It is divided into two unequal 
parts by Jones's, falls, on the North Western 
branch of Patapsco river, over which are three 
wooden bridges. The streets in the city, ex- 
tend from E. to W. along the N. side of the 
basin ; these are intersected by others extend- 
ing, at right angles, N. from the basin, except 
a few which run in different directions. At 
Fell's Point, originally Jones's town, establish- 
ed in 1732, the streets run generally from E.to 
W. and are crossed by others at right angles. 
Immediately on the Point there are some which 
run in various directions as circumstances would 
admit. East of Jones's falls there are some 
which extend parallel to the creek, varying their 
direction from the former. 

The number of streets, lanes, and alleys 
amount to about 130, but several of these have 
hardlv a building upon them. The main street 
is 80 feet wide, extends from E.to W. about a 
mile, and i'^ called Baltimore streets Pratt, 



of the State of Maryland, ST 

Water, Second, and East streets, have the same 
direction. They are from 40 to 60 feet wide ; 
and are intersected, at right angles, by Market 
street, 150 feet wide, Frederick, Gay, South, 
Calvert, Charles, Hanover, and Howard streets. 
These are from 66 to 80 feet wide, and com- 
pactly built. There are others partly built, as 
Holiday street, 100 feet wide, on which the 
New Theatre stands. Lovely, and St. Paul's 
lanes, &c. 

The public buildings are a court house, jail, 
three market houses, a poor house, which stands 
on the N. W. side of the city ; besides "^our 
banks, and an exchange. The bank of Mary- 
land was incorporated, in 1791, with a capital 
of 300,000 dollars. The branch bank of the 
United States, the bank of Maryland, and the 
Farmers bank, lately established. A branch of 
this bank is established at Easton. 

The court house is a brick building, erected 
upon an arch, in the N. end of Calvert street. 
In the next square, a little to the N. W. is the 
jail. 

The houses for public worship are 10, viz. 
one for Episcopalians, one for Presbyterians, 
one for German Calvanists, oneforthe reform- 
ed Germans, one for Nicolites or Quakers, one 
for Baptists, one for Roman Catholics, and three 
for Methodists, one of which stands at Fell's 
Point. 

The Presbyterian church stands in East 
street, has a handsome portico, supported by 
six pillars in front. It is well finished, and is 



88 Geographical Description 

one of the most elegant churches in the United 
States. 

The houses were numbered, in 1787, and 
amounted to 1,955 ; about 1,200 of these were 
in the town, and the rest at Fell's Point. The 
present number amount to six thousand. It 
contained, in 1790, 12,503 free persons, and 
1,255 slaves; and, in 1800, 23,671 free per- 
sons, and 2,843 slaves. 

The basin is on the S. side of the city. It is, 
in common tides, from eight to nine feet deep. 
The harbour at Fell's Point, is deep enough to 
admit ships carrying 500 tons burthen. 

The situation of part of the city is low, and 
was unhealthy till a large marsh Vv^as reclaimed, 
about 34 years ago, since which the city is as 
healthy as any of the seaports in the United 
States. Where the marsh formerly was, there 
is a marketplace, 150 ieet wide, Vv'hich v,e have 
already noticed. On each side oi the market 
place is a row of buildings, v/im the market 
house in the centre. The increase of houses 
with the improvements which have been 
made, in paving the streets, and keeping them 
clean, have also contributed in rendering the ci- 
ty so healthy. 

A company has associated, for the purpose of 
watering the city, from Jones's falls, by means 
of a canal. Iron pipes are to be laid, from the 
end of the canal, through the lower parts of the 
city^ The v/ater, which is to supply the upper 
parts, is to be raised by machinery. The com- 
panyhave made considerable progress. 



of the State of Maryland. 89 

The manufactures principally carried on in 
the city, are those of sugar refining, rum, to- 
bacco, snuff, cordage, paper hanging, wool, and 
cotton cards, nails, saddlery, boots, shoes, ship 
building in all its various branches, farming, and 
culinary utensils, various manufactures in brass, 
iron, and copper. 

No seaport in the United States has increased 
\viththe same rapidity as Baltimore. In 1790 
it ov/ned only 13,564 tons of shipping; in 1797, 
the shipping amounted to 59,837 tons ; and, in 
1804, to about 100,000. The exports, in 1790 
amounted to 2,027,770 dollars; in 1794 to 
5,294,248 dollars ; in 1 798 to upwards of 12 mil- 
lions, and in 1806 to 14,579,488 dollars. 

Baltimon* exported, in 1804, 396,178 barrels 
of flour; 21,060 half barrels ; 2,363 barrels of 
rye flour; 122 half barrels ; 1,235 barrels of 
Indian meal ; 123 hogsheads, and 50 half hogs- 
heads. 

Baltimore was incorporated by an act of the 
legislature, passed on the 31st day of Decem- 
ber, 1796. It is governed by a mayor, and a 
city council, consisting of two branches. The 
first branch is composed of two citizens chosen 
from each ward. There are at present 1 6 mem- 
bers in this branch. The second branch con- 
sists of 8 members. A member of the first 
branch must be tv/enty one years of age, a ci- 
-tizen of the United States, three years resi- 
dent in Baltimore, before his election, and rat- 
ed on the assessors books, at one thousand dol- 
lars. The voters for this branch must have the 
12 



90 QeograpJikal Description 

same qualification^, as those v/ho vote for mem- 
bers of the general assemby of the State. The 
election is annual, and made viva voce, 

A member of the second branch, must be 25 
years of age, a citizen of the United States, a 
resident four years in Baltimore, previous to 
his election, and rated, on the assessors books, 
at two thousand dollars. The members of this 
branch are chosen every second year, by the ci- 
tizens of the different wards. 

The mayor, who is elected by electors, chos- 
en in the different wards, must be- twenty five 
years of age, ten years a citizen of the United 
States, and five years a resident of the place 
before his election. He continues in office two 
years. His salary is two thot sand four hun- 
dred dollars per annum. It is fixed by an or- 
dinance of the corporation. The mayor ap- 
points all officers of the corporation ; in case of 
vacancy, the second branch nominates two ci- 
tizens, one of whom he commissions. 

Baltimore is 43 miles N. E. of Washington 
city 176 N. N. E. of Richmond, and 102 S. 
W. by W. of Philadelphia. 

Lat. S^. 18. N. long. 1. 35. W. of Philadel- 
phia, and 76. 48. W. of Greenv/ich. 

EUicotfs Loxver Mills^ are situated at the 
great falls of Patapsco river, nine and an half 
miles S. W. of Baltimore, and 41 from Wash- 
ington city. The Patapsco is, at the falls, about 
the size of the Brandywine, or Gunpowder ri- 
ver. The great Western turnpike from Bal- 



of the State of Maryland. 91 

timore to Frederick town, &c. passes this 
place*. 

Here is one of the largest, and most elegant 
merchant mills in the United States. It is 100 
fet:t long, and 40 wide, with four water wheels, 
which turn three pair of seven feet stones, and 
one pair of five feet. She is capable of manu- 
facturing 150 barrels of flour in a daj^ ; and at 
the time of the lowest water that has ever been 
knov/n, which was this last summer, she manu- 
tured 100 barrels per day. The wheat is ob- 
tained from Loudon, and Jefferson counties in 
Virginia. 

Here is also a mill, with one water wheel 
and a pair of burr stones, for the manufactur- 
inc>: of plaster of Paris. Being situated on 
the great Western turnpike, the waggons on 
their return from Baltimore, to the Western 
country, loaded with that article, stop and get it 
ground. The mill will pulverize a ton, in 40 
minutes. 

Here likewise is a saw mill, and an oil mill, 
which are worked with great spirit. 

This place was first settled, and improved by 
Joseph, Andrew, and John Ellicott, who emi- 
grated from Pennsylvania, in 1772. The mill 
was built on the old plan, but the late improve- 
ments in the construction of mills, and in the 
manufacture of flour, were early introduced. 
She manufactured for a number of years after 
she was built, more flour than any other mill in 
the United States. She was the first mill that 
=♦ See Public Improvements, Pape 49, 



92 Geographical Description 

had five feet stones, and afterwards was the first 
that introduced them of seven feet diameter. 

The proprietors have, in considerable for- 
wardness, a mill for rolling and slitting iron. 
It is expected that as it is situated on so large 
a stream, and having the command of all the 
water, it will be able to do as much work as 
any mill of the kind in the United States. 

Those mills belong to, and are occupied by 
Messrs. Jonathan, Elias, George, and John 
Ellicott's, who are also the owners of the great- 
er part of the dwellings. Several of the houses, 
which are built of hewn stone, are elegant. — 
The stones are dug out of an extensive and va- 
luable quarry of grey granite, that is at the 
place.* 

The proprietors have a very large store of 
groceries, and dry goods, for the accommoda- 
tion of those who bring their grain to market. 

Several kinds of mechanical trades are car- 
ried on here ; such as coopers, blacksmiths, 
tanners, shoemakers, sadlers, &c. 

Here is a very handsome meeting-house, 
built of stone, belonging to the society of Qua- 
kers ; also a good tavern, for the accommoda- 
tion of travellers, and others. 

At this place is one of the largest paper mills 
in the United States, the property of Mr. John 
Hagerty. The mill is 120 feet long, 40 wide, 
and three stories high, built of stone. She 
works four sets of hands, and is supposed to 

* See page 80. 



of the State of Maryland. 



93 



manufacture more paper than any other mill in 
America- 

The inhabitants are well supplied with water, 
which is conveyed in j>ipes, from a remarkable 
cold spring, at the distance of 420 yards. 

The situation of these mills is extremely 
beautiful; the adjacent hills are lofty and fer- 
tile, as the soil agrees with plaster of Paris, and 
the fields and meadows are covered, in the sea- 
son, with a rich verdure, which gives the whole 
a delightful and pleasing appearance. The 
arched bridges, and extensive walls lately erect- 
ed, by the turnpike company,^ add very much 
to the beauty of the place. A post office is 
established at these mills. 

Mandiester^ a post town, pleasantly situated, 
about 31 miles from Baltimore, on the main 
road leading from that city to Hanover, in 
York county, Pennsylvania, and five south of 
the northern divisional line of the state. 

It contains thirty -five dwellings, built of 
hewed ti rnber ; besides a number of workshops ; 
also thiee stores, and three taverns. The 
whole of the inhabitants, except four families, 
are of German extraction, and who are mostly 
tradesmen. Adjoining the town is a handsome 
brick church, fifty-two feet by forty, belonging 
to the German Lutherans and Calvinists. 

Manchester is seventy-six miles from Wash- 
ington citv, and thirteen from Hanover, in 
Pennsylvania. 



* See public improYements, page 49. 



94 Geographical Description 

jfoppa^ a small town on the east side of Gun- 
powder river, established by the legislature, in 
1724, but it had existed as a town several years 
before. The legislature granted twenty acres 
of land, which were divided into forty lots, 
and two acres upon which the public buildings 
were erected. It w^as the seat of justice for 
Baltimore county, till the establishment of Har- 
ford county, in 1743 and 1744. It is seven- 
teen miles north east of Baltimore city. 

Re2ster''s touon^ a small post town, on the 
western turnpike, sixteen miles from Balti- 
more, and sixty-three from Washington city. 

Hookstown^ a small village six miles north 
west of Baltimore. 



CALVERT. 

This county was established some time be- 
fore the year 1671. It is situated on the West- 
ern Shore, is bounded north by Anne Arundel 
county, east by the Chesapeak bay, south and 
west by Patuxent river, which divides it from 
St. Mary's, Charles, and Prince George's coun- 
ties. It is thirty-three and an half miles in 
length, from the mouth of the Patuxent^ to 
Lyon's creek, which empties into that river ; 
and nineteen and an half in breadth. It con- 
tains 139,272 acres ; and, in 1790, — 4,347 free 
persons, and 4,305 slaves ; and, in 1800, — 4,196 
free persons, and 4,101 slaves. It is divided 
into seven hundreds, viz. No. 1, No. 2, &c. 



of the State of Maryland. 95 

The principal growth of trees is oaks of differ- 
ent kinds, hickory, poplar, and chesnut. The 
lands in the middle of the county, consist of a 
poor sand}^ soil ; but towards the bay, and the 
river Patuxent, the lands are fertile, producing 
corn, tobacco, and some wheat, &c. 

The bay, and river Patuxent, abound with 
rock, herrings, shad, perch, oysters, &c. 

Lotver 3£arlborough, a posttovv^n, and though 
small, the most considerable in the county. It 
is situated on the east side of Patuxent river, 
thirty miles south by west of Annapolis, and 
thirty-four from Washington city. It has a 
warehouse for the inspection of tobacco. The 
Patuxent is navigable, in ships of burthen, se- 
veral miles above the town. 

Huntington^ a small post town, with a ware- 
house for the inspection of tobacco, and a few 
stores. It is situated on the east side of Hunt- 
ing creek, twenty-two miles north east of Port 
Tobacco, and forty-six from Washington city. 

St, LeonarcPs^ a small post town, about the 
size of the former, with a warehouse for the 
inspection of tobacco. It is fifty-eight miles 
from Washington city. 



CHARLES. 

A populous county on the Western Shore, 
twenty-seven miles in length, and the same in 
breadth, containing 258,189 acres. It is bound- 
ed east by the river Patuxent, v/hich separates 



96 Geographical Description 

it from Calvert county, south and "west by tbs 
Potomac, which divides it from Virginia, norlla 
by Prince George's county, and south east hj 
St. Mary's. 

It contained, in 1790, — 10,528 free persons, 
and 10,085 slaves; and in 1800, — 9,614 fee 
persons, and 9,558 slaves. 

'Ihe lands are generally low ancj. level, ia 
some places diversified with small hills. TIkc 
lands on the rivers and creeks produce Ittdiaaa 
corn, tobacco, and some wheat, with potatoes, 
cotton, vegetables, and roots. The lands ir£- 
remote from the rivers and creeks, is sandy^ 
light, and less productive. ' 

This county was established before the year 
1671. 

Fort Tobacco, a post town, and the seat ©f 
justice for Charles county. It is situated gb. a 
creek of its own name, contiguous to the F«>- 
tomac, contains about fifty houses, a large ele- 
gant Episcopal church, partly out of repair, a 
warehouse for the inspection of tobacc©^ a 
courthouse, and jail. It is fifty-three milss 
south west of Annapolis, thirty-four froja 
Washington city, and 180 south west by south 
of Philadelphia. 

Lat. 38. 35. N. long. 2. 2. W. of Philadel- 
phia, ami 77, 15. W. of Greenwich. 

Alhnsfresh^ a post office, situated oii a creek 
of the same name, which unites with Piles 
fresh, and forms the Wighconiico. It is forty- 
three miles from Washington city, ar, d about 
ninety-one south south west of Baltiirc^re. 



of the State of Maryland, 97 

Nanjemoy^ a post office, situated near a short 
river of the same name, which fails into the 
Potomac, about four miles south west of Port 
Tobacco. It is forty-four miles from Wash- 
ington city. 

Hilltops a post office, thirty-nine miles from 
Washington city. 

Bennedict^ a small post town, situated on the 
west side of the rivei; Patuxent, about twenty- 
two miles above its mouth, and about three 
quarters of a mile above Indian creek, the di- 
visional line of St. Mary's county. It was es- 
tablished in 1683, and is forty-seven miles from 
Washington city. Lat. 38. 1. N. long. 1. 41. 
W. of Philadelphia, and 76. 54. W\ of Green- 
wich. 

Newport^ a village situated on Pile's fresh, 
which unites with Allen's fresh, and forms the 
river Wighcomico. It is eleven miles from 
Port Tobacco, and ninety-four from Balti- 
more. 

TALBOT. 

A rich and populous county, on the Eastern 
Shore, twenty-five miles and an half from Ken- 
nard's mill, near the head of Wye river, to 
Chancellor point, on the Choptank, and six- 
teen and an half in breadth from east to west. 

It contains 201,809 acres; and, in 1790, — 
8,307 free persons, and 4,777 slaves ; and, in 
1800, — 8,661 free persons, and 4,775 slaves. 

Talbot county is bounded vrcst bv the Ch^- 
K 



98' Geographical Description 

sapeak bay, north by Queen Anne county, east 
by Tuckahoe creek, and Choptank river, which 
separate it from. Caroline county, and south by 
the same river, which divides it from Dorches- 
ter. It is almost surrounded by the river Wye, 
Tuckahoe creek, and Choptank river; and is 
more intersected by navigable rivers, and 
creeks, than any other county in the state. St. 
Michael's river rises near the middle of the 
county, and runs nearly parallel to the river 
Wye, from east to west. It is about twenty 
miles in length, and for a considerable part of 
its course, towards its mouth, is about a mile 
in breadth. It abounds in excellent fish, and 
oysters ; its banks -^re healthy and agreeable, 
without marshf^Sj' and handsomely ornamented 
with well improved country seats. 

Thirdhaven river intersects the county, in al- 
most all directions, discharging its waters into 
the Choptank, about eight miles above the 
mouth of that river. It is nearly as large as 
St» Michael's, abounds in excellent fish and 
oysters ; and its borders equally free from 
marshes. 

The soil is generally either a red, or white 
clay* If a line were drawn through the centre 
of the county, from north to south, it would 
be about tv/enty-five miles. This line would 
divide the county nearly into two equal parts, 
and into tvro different kinds of soil. Although 
the county would, by some, be consider- 
ed as a level country; yet in a comparison 
of its parts, that to the east might be called the 



of the State of Manjland, 9*-^^ 

high lands ; and that to the west, the low lands. 
This division would nearly ascertain another 
distinction, well known to the farmers, the 
boundary between the freshes and the salts* 
The soil of the eastern division is a red clav, 
intermixed with a small portion of sand, so as 
to Tiiake it somewhat of a loamy nature. Ihe 
.soil of the western division is mostly a white 
clay, interspersed, particularly at the heads of 
the creeks, with rich bottoms of a black loam, 
capable of being, by good husbandry, improved 
into valuable meadows. The v.hite clay soil, 
of this part of the county, is unfavourable to 
the growth of Indian corn, which flourishes 
to greater advantage in the uplands, or freshes; 
but if this white clay soil be enriched with 
compost, it is highly productive of wheat. 

The red clay of the eastern division is fa- 
vourable to the production of wheat ; but be- 
ing a lighter soil it is sooner exhausted, by the 
large crops of Indian corn which it produces. 
In this division, bordering on the Choptank, 
are several extensive marshes, which in their 
present improved state, aftbrd large pasturage 
for numerous herds of horned cattle, as v/ell 
as hay, for tneir sustenance, during the winter 
season. Should this part of the state become 
as populous as some countries in Europe, these 
marshes might receive the same improvement, 
by dykes, as those of Holland, and would then 
afford an inexhaustible source from which the 
uplands might be improved. 



1 00 Geographical Descriptio u 

This county, with Queen Anne's, and Kent, 
has been remarkable for the production of a 
very white grained wheat, much esteemed by 
millers for the manufacture of flour. Not- 
withstanding the farmers have lately shewn a 
dispesition to exchange this valuable species of 
v/heat, so congenial to their soil, for other 
kind: which they flatter then.iclves will be- 
iTiOre productive. Ic is very questionable whe- 
ther the loss of this high reputation of their 
staple produce, can be compensated, even by 
an increase in the quantity; but more especial- 
ly when that increase remains problematical. 

The trees most common, in Talbot county, 
are several kinds of oaks, also hickory, ches- 
nut, pine, maple, sweet and sour gum, mul- 
berry, wild plumb, wild cherry, hav» thorn, &c. 
which grov/s round the fields and along the 
shores. 

Talbot cQuntv is divided into seven hundreds, 
viz. Island, Tuckahoe, Kingscreek, Boling- 
broke, Thirdhaven, Mill, and Bay hundreds. 

The lands generally produce wheat, Indian 
corn, tobacco, oats, beans, peas, potatoes, &c. 

Easton^ a handsome town, and the seat of 
justice for the above county. It is situated 
near the Forks of Thirdhaven river, about 13 
miles above its confluence with the Choptank, 
and about the centre of the county. It con- 
tains about 200 dwellings, and 1000 inhabit- 
ants. The streets are tolerably uniform, inter- 
secting each other at right angles. Five prin- 
cipal streets run north and south, one of which, 



of the State of Maryland, 101 

the most frequented, and through which travel- 
lers usually pass, is nearly filled with houses, 
for about a quarter of a mile. In this street 
are 16 or 17 stores, for the sale of groceries 
and dry goods ; besides many tradesmen's 
shops, of different kinds. On the west side is 
a spacious open square, in the centre of which 
is a large commodious building, erected at the 
joint expense of the state and county. Here the 
several supreme courts of justice for the East- 
ern Shore are held, as well as those for the 
county. The land office for the Eastern Shore, 
and the several clerks offices of the different 
courts, are also kept in this building. In the 
corner of the square is a small market house, 
tolerably well supplied with meat, and vegeta- 
bles, and in particular seasons of the year with 
great abundance of fish; in the spring shad, 
which are sold very cheap ; also crabs and oys- 
ters, in their season. Rock and perch are 
brought to market in considerable quantities 
all the year ; and sometimes, though rarely, 
the sheepshead, which is accounted the most 
delicious fish that is caught in the Chesapeak, 
or on the coast. 

The other public buildings are an Episcopal 
church, a Methodist meeting house, a Quaker, 
or Friends meeting house, a branch of the 
Farmer's bank of Maryland, an academy, 50 
feet by 33, two stories high, of brick. A print- 
ing office has been established here these seve- 
ral years, 

1^ 2 



102 Geographical Description ■ 

The streets have been very much improved, 
and the inhabitants well supplied, with excellent 
water, from public pumps. The inland trade 
of Easton has increased these some years past, 
and is now carried on to a considerable extent. 
It contains several neat brick buildings. 

In the vicinity oi the town are a great many 
highly improved lots, with some neat country 
seats. 

It is 37 miles south of Chester, 118 S. W. of 
Philadelphia, 50 S. E. by S. of Baltimore, and 
81 from Washington city. 

Lat, 38. 49. N. long, 1. O. W of Philadel- 
phia, and 76. 13. W. of Greenv/ich. 

St, MichaePs, a post toMai, situated on a small 
creek or cove which makes out of St, Michael's 
river. The harbour or cove has sufficient depth 
of water for small sea vessels ; and ships of 
burthen may ride with safety in the river. It 
owes it origin, and support, to the business of 
ship-building, which has been carried on to a 
considerable extent, and for which its situation 
is well adapted. It is 69 miles from Washing- 
ton city« 

Oxford^ a port of entry, situated on the E. 
side of Thirdhaven river, which falls into the 
Choptank, about eight miles above the mouth of 
that river. It is a small place, and does but ve- 
ry little business. It was established in 1694; 
and is 13 miles S. by W. of Easton. 

Hole in the Wall, a small viUagCj seven mile.s 
3? of Easton, 



of the State of Maryland, 103 

Hooktown^ a small village four miles N. of 
Easton 

Trap^ a small village six miles S. E. of Ox- 
ford. 

SOMERSET. 

A county on the Eastern shore, 34|- miles in 
length, and 25 in breadth, containing 315,351' 
acres. It is bounded N. by Caroline county, 
E. by the state of Delaware, W. by Dorches- 
ter county, and S. W. by the Chesapeak bay. 

It contained, in 1790, 8,540free persons, and 
.7,070 slaves ; and, in 1800, 9,956 free persons, 
and 7,432 slaves. 
. The lands in this county, are very low, and 
exceedingly level, and the soil generally of an 
indifferent quality. The uplands consist most- 
ly of a sandy soil, producing Indian corn, and 
some little wheat. The necks of land, in the 
bends of Nanticoke river, are generally rich, 
and fertile ; but situated so low, that the crops 
are very often injured, by too much moisture, 
in wet seasons. 

Somerset county is well watered, by creeks, 
and rivulets. Water is almost, every where to 
be found by digging from ten to twenty-five feet 
deep ; but it is generally very indifferent. In 
several places it is of a chalybeate quality ; and 
in others it is said to be impregnated with sul- 
phur, particularly at Barren creek springs, which 
are much resorted to, on account of their me^ 
dical properties. 



104f Geographical Description 

Wicomico river, and several creeks, afford an 
easy communication with the Chesapeak,forthe 
distance of from 20 to 30 miles, admitting craft 
carrying from 1,000 to 3,000 bushels of wheat 
or corn, Wicomico river has ten feet water for 
1 5 miles above its mouth, and bay craft of the 
above description, commonly take in their lad- 
ing about three miles from the tov/n of Salsbury, 
which is 20 miles from the mouth of the river. 
The navigation of the river, in bay craft, ex- 
tended formerly up to the town of Salsbury, but 
the navigation has laterly been obstructed, by the 
breaking down of mill dams. A number of 
creeks which admit bay craft, empty into Nan- 
ticoke river, viz. Barren creek, Rawastico, 
Quantico, &c. and Annomessak creek, which 
empties into Pokomoke sound, and Manokin ri- 
ver, which flows into the sound from Princess 
Anne. Bay craft are loaded about seven or 
eight miles from the town of Princess Anne, 
which is about fifteen miles from the mouth of 
the Manokin. 
J, A few wild deer remain in the county, and 
on the creeks are some wild fowl, as geese, and 
several kinds of ducks, but the canvass back is 
very rarely seen. • 

The rivers, and creeks afford a moderate sup- 
ply of rock, shad, herrings, and some small 
fish. 

Princess Anne^ a post town, and the seat of 
justice, for the county. It is situated at the 
head of Manokin river, 15 miles from its en- 
trance into Pokomoke sound^ and contains about 



of the State of Maryland, 105 

40 dwellings, and an elegant Episcopal church. 
A bridge is built over the river. Near the W. 
end of the bridge is a Presbyterian church. 
Bay craft take in their lading about seven or 
eight miles below the town. It carries on some 
trade with Baltimore in grain, and lumber. 
Princess Anne was established in 1733, and is 
153 miles from Washington city. 

Salisbury^ a post town, situated between the 
head branches of Wicomico river, adjoining 
Worcester county. It contains about 35 houses, 
and an Episcopal church, and was established 
in 17'32. Th,e inhabitants trade with Balti- 
more, in lumber, which is conveyed down the 
river about three miles, in fiat bottomed boats, 
where it is received by larger vessels. It is 15 
miles W. of Vienna, 164 S. by W. of Phila- 
delphia, and 138 from Washington city. 

Lat. 38. 22. N. long. O. 30. W. of Philadel- 
phia. 

Trap^ a village situated near the head of Wi- 
comico creek, the principal branch of Wicomi- 
co river. It is six miles N. of Princess Anne. 



DORCHESTER. 

This is the largest county on the Eastern 
Shore, except Worcester. It was established 
before the yea • 1671, and is 32 miles long, and 
27 broad, containing 374,579 acres. 

It is bounded N. by Caroline county, and 
Choptank river, which separates it from Talbot 



106 Geographical Description 

county, S. E. by Nanticoke river, which divides 
it from Somerset county, and S. and W. by the 
Chesapeak bay. 

It contained, in 1790, 10,538 free persons, 
and 5,337 slaves; and, in 1800, 11,778 free 
persons, and 4,566 slaves. 

The lands in the S. parts of the county, are 
low, and marshy ; particularly along Transquak- 
ing, Blackwater, and Teram creeks, and along 
Hungary river, which is an arm of the Chesa- 
peak bay, that separates Hooper's Island, from 
the main land. 

The principal produce is corn, wheat and 
lumber. The rivers abound with fish, and 
fowl, as those in the other counties of the Eas- 
tern shore. , 

Cambridge^ a post town, and the seat of jus- 
tice for the county, containing about 50 houses 
and 300 inhabitants. It is situated on the S. 
side of Choptank river, about 15 miles from its 
mouth. The situation is healthy and agreeable. 
The public buildings are a church, court house, 
and jail. 

It is 37 miles S. of Easton, 152 S.S. W. of 
Philadelphia, and 100 from Washington city. 

Lat. 38. 34. N. long. 0. 59. W. of Philadel- 
phia, and 76. 12. W. of Greenwich. 

Vien7ia^ a small post town, agreeably situat- 
ed on the W. side of Nanticoke river, vipon a 
plain, elevated about 12 or 13 feet above the 
surface of the river. 

It contains 13 dv/ellings, principally, in a state 
of decay, four respectable stores, several gra- 



of the State of Marijhnd, 107 

naries, two taverns, a collectors office, and an 
impaired brick Episcopal church, in which di- 
vine service is sometimes celebrated. Two 
wharves extend into the river, at which vessels 
of any burthen may load. 

The town commands very little trade, al- 
though advantageously situated for both foreign 
and domestic. Its decline has originated, in 
the absence of enterprising, and active in- 
habitants, the obstruction in navigating the ri- 
ver to its extremities, the commercial impor- 
tance of Baltimore, and above all the prevail- 
ing opinion that the situation of the town is un- 
healthy; but the character of unhealthiness it 
no longer deserves \ for the excluding by ditches, 
the tide, Avhich supported a morass on the S. 
bodies of stagnant water, which lay in the bo- 
som of the town, have been removed, by which 
the situation has become more healthy. 

Vienna is 120 miles from Washington city. 

Nexvmarkct^ a smalUpost town, nine miles, 
N. E. of Cambridge. 

B'liddletoxvn^ a small village about seven miles 
westerly of Vienna, and two E. of the head of 
'i ransquaking creek. 

Federcdshurg^ a small village, on marshy 
Hope creek, partly in Dorchester, and partly in 
Caroline counties. It is 25 miles N. E. by E. of 
Cambridge, and 20 S. by E. of Denton. 

Hunting creek town^ a village in the N. parts 
of the county, 18 miles N. E. of Cambridge, 
and 16 S. bv W. of Dentou- 



108 Geographical Description 

Indian town, a small village situated on In- 
dian creek, a short stream which falls into 
Choptank river. It is three miles S. W. of 
Newmarket. 

CECIL. 

This county was established in 1674, and is 
the most northerly county, on the Eastern shore. 
It is 24 miles in length, and 23 in breadth, and 
contains 243,206 acres. 

It is bounded E. by New Newcastle county, 
in the state of Delaware, N. by Chester county, 
in the state of Pennsylvania, W. by the river 
Susquehanna, and Chesapeak bay, which divides 
it from Harford county, on the Western shore, 
and S. by Sassafras river which separates it from 
Kent county. 

It contained, in 1790, 10,218 free inhabitants,, 
and 3,407 slaves ; and, in 1800, 6,915 free in- 
habitants, and 2,103 slaves. Decrease of free 
inhabitants, in 10 years, 3,303, and of slaves 
1,304; total decrease 4,607. 

It is divided into the following 15 hundreds, 
viz. Octorara, West Nottingham, East Not- 
tingham, North Susquehanna, South Susque- 
hanna, Charlestown, South Milford, North 
Milford, Elk Neck, Back Creek, Bohemia Ma- 
nor, Middleneck, North Sassafras, West Sassa- 
fras, and Bohemia hundred. It is also divided 
into four election districts. The first election 
district is htrld at Warwick, second at Elkton, 



of the State of Maryland. 109 

third at Charlestown, and the fourth at the Ris- 
ing sun, in West Nottingham hundred. 

Cecil county contains a great variety of soils. 
Land of a loose red soil begins nearly at a 
point, on the W. side of Little Elk river, 
and extends W. along the Pennsylvania line, 
nearly to the Susquehanna, where the lands in- 
cline mostly to barrens. The greatest breadth 
of this tract, at the W. end is about two miles 
and a half. A different quality of land, adjoins 
the above tract on the S. It extends from the 
Susquehanna, to the state of Delaware, and is, 
at the W. end, on the Susquehanna, about six 
miles wide, and at the Delaware line, on the E. 
about four. This tract is very hilly, rocky, and 
stony, along the Susquehanna, and mouth of Oc- 
torara creek. The bottoms along the river, and 
hills, are generally a rich black mould ; and for 
fertility may be accounted first rate land. 

After leaving the river, and Octorara hills, 
eastward the soil is not so black, or rich, but 
generally stony. The hills gradually decline 
for six or seven miles, and the land, in many 
places, fertile. The earth then changes its qua- 
lity, and appearance, the land is more level, for 
seven or eight miles, the under stratum being 
clay and marie, intermixed with talc or isin- 
glass, with a light brown, and, in some places, a 
greyish soil on the surface. The flat, low, 
grounds, consist of a stiff clay, not so fertile for 
grain of any kind, without manure ; yet very 
well timbered, and well adapted to raising clo- 
ver, and blue grass. About Little Elk, and 
L 



110 Geographical Description 

Big Elk, the country is hilly, and in some places 
stony, and, excepting a few places, of a better 
quality. The soil gradually declines, in ferti- 
lity, to the state of Delaware. 

The principal timber, on the above land, is 
black, v/hite, red, and Spanish oaks, hickory, 
black walnut, pt>plars, wild cherry, mulberry, 
elm, sour gum, and ash, white walnut and lo- 
cust, grow principally about Octorara creek, 
and Susquehanna river. This tract of country 
is elevated, generally several hundred feet 
above the tide water. 

The land south of the above, and bordering on 
the Susquehanna, Chesapeak, North East, and 
Elk river, by Elkton, eastward to the state of 
Delaware, is chiefljr barrens. The soil is in 
most parts gravelly, intermixed, in many places, 
with round white pebbles, from the size of a 
musket ball, to an eighteen pound shot. The 
land is, in general, hilly, especially between 
Elk, and North East rivers. Notwithstanding 
the soil is gravelly about the mouth of the Sus- 
quehanna, Carpenter's point. North East river, 
Turkey point. Elk river, and Elkton, there are 
in several places, tracts of excellent land, which 
may be reckoned of the second rate quality. 

The timber, on these lands, is generally low, 
consisting of oak, of different kinds, hickory, 
chesnut, sweet gum or liquid amber, sycamore, 
magnolia giauca or swamp sassafras. 

About Elkton, *nd in several other parts of 
the county, the land is improving by cultivation, 



of the State of Maryland. 1 1 1 

the soil agreeing, in many places, with lime, and 
plaster of Paris, with the help of stable manure. 

In the south part of the county, on Bohemia, 
and Sassafras rivers, are bodies of excellent 
land. It is rich, level, and clear of stones, and 
is reckoned among the first land, in the county. 

The best land produces from 40 to 50 bush- 
els of corn to the acre, from 20 to 25 of wheat, 
and about 30 of i*ye. Poor land, on being ma- 
nured, has produced the same quantity. 

The principal stones in the county, are white 
and yellow flints, black stone, containing iron, 
soapstone, flagstone, sandstone of diff'erent co- 
lours, whetstones, suitable for carpenters edged 
tools ; bloodstone, with a variety of others con- 
taining iron, and plum-pudding stone. On the 
bay shore, below Carpenter's point, stones 
have been found, when broken, containing hol- 
low cavities resembling the impression of the 
cockle shell. This appears the more extraordi- 
nary, as no shell fish of the kind is, at present, 
found in the waters near the place. On the 
sides of the hills, bordering on the Susquehan- 
na, are large quarries of black and grey stones^ 
excellent for building. Large quantities of 
them are sent by water, to Baltimore city. 

On the main branch of North East creek, 
about two and a half miles from tide water, is 
a large soapstone quarry, from which stones 
may be obtained, of different dimensions. 

Stones have been dug out of this quarry, from 
10 to 12 feet long, from three to four broad, 
and not more than four or five inches thick. 



112 Geographical Description 

In different parts of the county are found 
red and yellow ochres, Fuller's earth, pipe clay 
of different colours ; besides other clays, and 
sands suitable for foundaries, and other uses. 

In addition to the trees already enumerated, 
are the following trees and shrubs, viz. the yel- 
low poplar, or tulip tree, aspin, willow leaved 
oak, of two kinds, beech, birch, iron wood, 
pine, persimon, maple, willow, dogwood, ser- 
vice and fring trees, red bud, ground oak, sa- 
ven, holly, laurel, spieewood, white thorn, 
black haw, wych hazel, common alder, black al- 
der, bladdernut, spindletree, elder, red rod, pa- 
paw, hazel, ninebark, honey suckle, huckleber- 
ry, red root, the leaves of which are used as a 
substitute for tea j besides a variety of other 
trees and shrubs. 

Rasberries, blackberries, huckleberries, dew- 
berries, and strawberries, grow, in great plenty, 
in different parts of the county. 

Cecil county affords a great variety of grapes ; 
as the black, red, and white fox grapes, chicken 
grapes, a middle sized grape, of a purple co- 
lour, growing in clusters, like the chicken grape, 
but is distinguished from it, by having the 
sweetness, and flavour of the fox grape ; also 
several species of sumach*. 

The medicinal, and other plants, and roots, 
and likewise the flowers, are enumerated in 
page 25. 

* See trees, shrubs, plants, Seepage 24 



of the State of Maryland, 113 

Apple, pear, peach, plumb, and cherry trees, 
of all kinds, thrive remarkably well. 

In a small stream, which enters the main 
branch of North East river, is found a species 
of zoophites. It is a small worm about an 
inch, and one fourth in length. Its body is co- 
vered with a coat of mail, composed of a glutin- 
ous substance, and small gravel, with a small 
aperture for the head. 

In Cecil county are min^s of iron ore, which 
is manufactured into pigs, hollow ware, bar 
iron, and nails. 

Cecil furnace consists of a wind, and air fur- 
nace. It is situated on Principio creek, within 
a short distance of tide water, and convenient to 
the ore. There is a fall of about 60 feet from 
the dam, which supplies the water works, to 
tide water. Here are cast pigs, and hollow 
ware ; also cannon which are bored with dis- 
patch, and equal to any in the United States* 

Octorara forge is situated on the south east 
side of the creek of that name, half a mile 
south of the Pennsylvania line. It manufac- 
tures annually about 300 tons of bar iron. 

North East iron works are situated, on the 
main branch of North Rast river, about 400 
yards, above tide water. They consist of two 
forges, and a handsome furnace, which is nearly 
finished. The forges v/ill manufacture each 300 
tons of bar iron in a year. The mine, which 
is to supply the furnace with ore, is situated on 
the east side of North East river, about three 
miles from the furnace. From present appear- 
L 2 



114 Geographical Description 

ances, little doubt is entertained but that the 
mine will yield a sufficient quantity of ore, to 
make annually 1500 tons of pig iron. 

On Big Elk river are two forges, about three 
miles north of Elkton. They are supposed to 
manufacture annually 300 tons of bar iron. 
About five miles from Elkton, on the same ri- 
ver, are a rolling and slitting mill, which rolls 
and slits 12 tons per week. On Little Elk ri- 
ver are two tilt forges, for drawing small iron. 
Marley nail manufactory is situated on Little 
Elk river, about four miles from Elkton. The 
proprietors manufacture annually 100 tons of 
nails. There art two nail manufactories qn the 
waters of Big Elk river. 

There are in the county 5^ grist, and mer- 
chant mills, 50 saw, mills, three fulling mills ^ 
and two oil mills ; besides the fulling mill be- 
longing to the woollen manufactory. 

The woollen and cotton manufactory, is si- 
tuated, on Little Elk river, about four miles and 
a half, from Elkton. It was established, in 
1794, by a company of gentlemen, w^ho, induc- 
ed by patriotic motives, entered into co-part- 
nerfship, for the purpose of manufacturing su- 
perfii^e, and other woollen, and cotton cloths. 
They erected a large, and elegant stone facto- 
ry, perhaps one of the largest in the United 
States. The machinery was made by artists^ 
from Europe, and is all moved by water. The 
manufacturing of woollen cloths is now carried 
on, by the company, and, from present ap- 



of the State of Maryland, 115 

pearances, there hardly arises a doubt but that 
it will succeed. 

The alms, and workhouse of Cecil county, 
is about three miles north of Elkton. It has a 
healthy situation, upon ground belonging to the 
institution. The building is large, the princi- 
pal part of the house is wood, with a stone ad- 
dition at the west end. There are generally 
from 35 to 40 poor persons, of both sexes, an- 
nually supported ; besides several out-pension- 
ers, who are allowed from 16 to 20 dollars a 
year towards their support. 

The levy court are authorised by law, at their 
first meeting in April, in each succeeding year, 
to appoint five discreet and proper persons to 
be trustees of the poor of Cecil county. The 
trustees meet at the alms and workhouse, on 
the first Monday in May, next ensuing their 
appointment, qualify in the manner. prescribed 
by the original act, and proceed in the execu- 
tion of the duties of their office. The trustees 
appoint a treasurer out of their own body. 
They present to the levy court, at the first 
meeting in April, a statement of their accounts 
and expenditures, with the necessary vouchers, 
for the preceding year. The accounts are set- 
tled and passed by the court, previous to their 
making out a new appointment of the trustees. 

The levy court fills up all vacancies which 
shall happen, at their next meetine. 

An overseer and matron are appointed, who 
reside at the alms and workhouse. A physicicyn 



116 Geographical Description 

is also appointed to attend the sick. He re- 
ceives an annual salary for his services. 

The trustees hold their meetings at the alms 
and workhouse. Each trustee is allowed a dol- 
lar for every day he attends, in discharging his 
duty as a trustee of the poor. 

There is a large and handsome garden near 
to the alms and workhouse. The principal part 
of the business done on the farm, belonging to 
the institution, is by the invalids. 

The following are the creeks and runs which 
flow through different parts of the country, viz. 
Canowingo and Octorara creeks ; Stone, Rich- 
ard's, Rocky, Rock and Heron runs j Mill 
creek, Principio, Stony run. North East, Little 
North East, Big and Little Elk rivers. Hart's 
run. Perch, Long, Gales, Broad and Back 
creeks, besides a few which fall on the south, 
into Bohemia and Sassafras rivers. 

The waters of Cecil county afford excellent 
fisheries of shad and herrings. It is computed 
that upwards of 16,000 barrels of shad and her- 
rings, are annually cured and packed up, of this 
number herrings are the -most considerable ; 
also to the amount of about 18,000 dollars sold 
fresh, and conveyed by land and water to the 
adjacent counties, besides rock, carp, pike, 
perch, ale-wives, mockasons, and other fish, 
which are caught, at different seasons of the 
year, and in considerable quantities. 

Elktoii^ a considerable post town, and the seat 
of justice for the county. It is situated at the 
confluence of the rivers Big and Little Elk,aud 



of the State of Maryland, 1 1 r 

was some years ago, one of the greatest wheat 
markets in America. About 250,000 bushels of 
wheat have been sold, from the granaries, in the 
course of a year. This trade has greatly de- 
clined since the establishment of Banks in the 
city of Baltimore, which has monopolized al- 
most all the trade of the Eastern shore, 

Elkton contains about 120 dwellings, some 
of which are handsomely and well built. The 
public buildings are a neat court house, an aca- 
demy and market house, in which markets are 
held on every Tuesday and Saturday, and fairs 
four times a year, viz. in April, June, October, 
and December, established by law, for the sale 
of cattle, horses, and all kinds of American 
produce, and manufactures. 

About l,00p castor and wool hats, are annu- 
ally manufactured ; besides hat making, there 
is a number of other mechanical trades carried 
on. It is an excellent situation for mechanics 
and manufactories, being situated on a naviga- 
ble river, abounding with very productive her- 
ring and shad fisheries, and discharging itself 
into the Chesapeak bay, at the distance of a few 
miles ; besides having in its vicinity several 
furnaces, forges, and a great many grist and 
saw mills, and, at the distance of about three 
miles, a large wollen manufactory. 

The district court holds here its sessions twice 
a year. It has exclusive jurisdiction in all civil 
and criminal cases arising in the county ; and 
orphans courts are held the second Tuesday in 
February, April, June, August and October. 



118 Geographical Description 

The election for the second election district is 
also held here. 

The canal, by which it is proposed to con- 
nect the water of the Chesapeak and Delaware 
bays, is located near this town, and the water 
which is to supply the canal is taken out of Big 
Elk river, about three miles above the town.^ 

Elkton is situated nearly in the centre, be- 
tween Philadelphia and Baltimore, 49 miles 
south-west of the former, and 52 north-east of 
the latter, and is the great thoroughfare be- 
tween the eastern and southern states. 

A post office is established here, the mail pas- 
sing through every day in the week, Sundays 
excepted. A cross post is established frbm 
Elkton to Lancaster, by the Brick meeting- 
house ; also from the Brick meetinghouse to 
Downingstown, on the turnpike, between Phi- 
ladelphia and Lancaster. It is 96 miles from 
Washington city. Lat. 39* ^7. N. Ion. O. 46. 
W. of Philadelphia. 

East Nottingham^ a small village, pleasantly 
situated in East Nottingham hundred. The 
Brick meetinghouse, belonging to the society of 
friends, stands upon a handsome eminence, at 
the centre of six public roads, the ground de- 
scending in every direction. Within the cit- 
cumference of about 300 perches, are 1 1 dwell- 
ings, containing 92 inhabitants. Clocks and 
mathematical instruments are made here. The 
surveying instruments meet with general appro- 

• See pubUaimprovemcnti, page 49 



of the State of Mary land » 119 

bation in those parts of the United States, in 
which they are used; as they are truly gradu- 
ated, and the metal they are made of not being 
susceptible of attraction. The town clock of 
Chestertown was made here, by an ingenious 
clock and watch maker, &c. Here a post office 
is established, called the post office Brick meet- 
ing house. It is on the cross post from Elkton 
to Lancaster. A cross post has likewise been 
established from hence to Downingstown, in 
Pennsylvania. The mails arrive and depart 
once a week. 

East Nottingham Brick meeting house, is 11 
miles from Elkton, 10 from Charlestown, the 
same distance from the Susquehanna, one and 
a half from the Pennsylvania iine, and 108 by 
the post road, from Washington city. 

The silk worm has been propogated in East 
Nottingham with considerable success. See 
manufactures, page 41. 

Siimmerhill^ a small village, in West Notting- 
ham hundred, situated on the poast road from 
Elkton to Lancaster, four and a half miles west 
of the Brick meeting house. It contains seven or 
eight dwellings, and about 40 inhabitants. 'Ihe 
election for the fourth election district is held 
here, and a post office established, called the 
post office Rising sun. 

Warwick^ a small village, situated about two 
miles west of the divisional line of Delaware 
state, and four miles south of the head of Bohe- 
mia river. The election for the first election 
district is held here, and a post office establi sh e d 



120 Geographical Description 

which is 25 miles north east of Chestertown, 
57 south west of Philadelphia, and 113 from 
Washington city. 

Charlestown^ a flourishing little post town, 
handsomely situated on the west side of North 
East river, about three miles from the head of 
the Chesapeak bay. The situation is healthy, 
and comriiands a beautiful prospect of the bay, 
to the distance of 30 miles. It contains 45 
dwellings, and 250 inhabitants. 

The charter, which is dated 1742, grants 300 
acres as a common for the use of the town, and 
200acres for town lots. Two fairs are established 
annually, for the sale of merchandise and coun- 
try produce. They continue each three days ; 
one commences in May, the other in October. 

Seven commissioners are chosen every three 
years, by the inhabitants, to transact the public 
business. They meet annually on the first 
Monday in June, and adjourn from time to 
time. The income of public rents, amount to 
250 dollars per annum. 

Here are two stores which sell annually 
about 7,000/. worth of goods, and three taverns, 
and a market house, in which are held weekly 
two markets. A very convenient wharf ex- 
tends about 100 yards in to the channel of the 
river, from which at present, six vessels, con- 
sisting of sloops and schooners, sail once a 
week. 

The cabinet, Windsor chair, and blacksmith 
business, are carried on here ; also a consider- 
able boot and shoe manufactory, in which are 



of the State of Maryland. 121 

made annually about 50 pair of boots, and 
2,000 pair of shoes. 

The election for the third election district is 
held here. Adjoining the town are four valu- 
able fisheries. The inhabitants are now build- 
ing a large meeting house for public worship. 

Charlestown is 10 miles west south west of 
Elkton, 59 south west by west of Philadelphia, 
and 86 from Washington city. 

Lat. 39. 34. N. Ion. O. 54. W. of Phila- 
delphia. 

Fredericktowiiy a snlall village on Sassafras 
river, opposite to Georgetown. It was estab- 
lished a town, by an act of the legislature, 
passed in 1736. 



PRINCE GEORGE'S. 

A populous, rich, and well cultivated coun- 
ty, on the Western Shore, 41 miles in length, 
and 23 in breadth. It is bounded east and 
south east by Patuxent river, which divides it 
from Anne Arundel, and Calvert counties, 
w^est by the Potomac river, which separates it 
from the state of Virginia, and north by Mont- 
gomery county, and the district of Columbia. 
It contained, in 1790 — 10,168 free inhabit- 
ants, and 11,176 slaves ; and, in 1800 — 8,994 
free inhabitants, and 12,191 slaves; decrease 
of free persons in ten years, 1,174 ; increase of 
slaves in the same period, 1.015. 
M 



122 Geographical Description 

Prince George's county was established in 
1695; and is divided into nineteen hundreds, 
viz. Prince Frederick, Washington, Matta- 
woman, Mount Calvert, Patuxent, Upper 
Marlborough, Charlotte, Horsepen, King 
George, Piscataway, Hanson, Oxen, Bladens- 
burg, Eastern Branch, Rock Creek, Western 
Branch, CoUington, Grubb, and New Scotland. 

Several of the hui3fdreds have their capitals 
or public places of resort : Upper Marlborough, 
for the hundred of that name ; Aquasco mills, 
for the hundred of Prince Frederick ; Magru- 
der's, for the hundred of Washington ; Not- 
tingnam, a port of entry and deposit, for the 
hundred of Mattawoman ; Mount Calvert 
has no place of resort, except an Episcopal 
church, lying between Nottingham and Upper 
Marlborough, nine miles from each ; neither 
has Charlotte hundred. Patuxent hundred has 
Queen Anne, Horsepen hundred lies above 
Queen Anne, on the Patuxent, has no town, 
except a small village, called Vansville, on the 
road leading to Washington city. Western 
Branch and CoUington hundreds have no towns. 
They are situated on the branches of the Pa- 
tuxent, above Upper Marlborough j and west 
of Queen Anne, towards Washington city. 
The lands in these two hundreds are equal, in 
richness, to any in the county, they are termed 
" the rich forest lands of Prince George's.'' 
A great part of the fine tobacco, which is ship- 
ped from Queen Anne, is raised in these hun- 
dreds. 'They are bounded on the north by the 



of the State of Maryland, 123 

road leading from the city of Annapolis, by Bald- 
win's tavern to Bladensburg, crossing the Patux- 
ent at the Priest's ford or Bridge. North of 
this line the lands are generally poor, covered 
with a species of diminutive black oak, called 
" Blackjacks." The soil is either a red clay, or 
a white gravelly sand. Such also is the soil of 
Horsepen hundred in general, which extends 
to the Montgomery county line, above Snow- 
den's iron works. The soil of New Scotland, 
hundred is very mwch of the same quality; 
that strata running nearly from north to south, 
through Horsepen, New Scotland, part of 
Charlotte, Grubb, and the east part of King 
George's hundreds, into Charles county. Thes© 
hundreds include the high lands between the 
Patuxent and Potomac rivers. Being remote 
from the rivers and low grounds, they are the 
most healthy part of Prince George's county. 
The water for domestic use is wholesome, and 
plentiful. The lands here are poor, and not 
confined to this elevated ridge alone, which se- 
parates the Avaters, that fall into the Potomac, 
from those that fall into the Patuxent ; they ex- 
tend west to the edge of the low lands, on the 
Potomac, as may be seen near Oxen hill, op- 
posite to Alexandria, and east to the margin of 
the rich low lands on the Patuxent, a distance 
of from 15 to 20 miles. Notwithstanding there 
are some valuable plantations on the different 
streams, which descend, from this elevated 
part of the county, into the rivers Potomac 
«md Patuxent. Piscataway hundred is bounded 



124 Geographical Descriptmi 

south by a creelc of the same name, which flows 
into the Potomac opposite Mount Vernon. It 
is chiefly very poor land, except on the banks of 
the Potomac, and the streams which fall into 
that river. King George's hundred is south of 
the latter; is separated by Piscataway creek, 
and the soil, in all respects, similar. Hanson, 
and Oxen hundreds, have no town. Hanson 
creek falls into the Potomac, at Broad creek ; 
and Oxen creek at Oxen hill, the seat of the 
Rev. Mr. Addison. 

Bladensburg is the capital of the hundred of 
the same name. The lands are generally poor 
and thin, except on the water courses, which 
have fine rich bottoms, mostly appropriatedrlt)!' 
meadows, which supply the town, and Wash- 
ington city, with hay and grass. The Eastern 
Branch hundred extends on the tributary 
streams of that river to Montgomery county, 
and westward of Horsepen hundred. It is 
divided from that hundred by Avhat is called 
the Paint Branch. The land is poor, of a red- 
dish colour, and unfriendly to cultivation. — 
Rock creek hundred is chiefly included in the 
District of Columbia. The lands are mostly 
rocky, broken, and poor. King George's is 
the most southerly hundred in the county. It 
adjoins Charles county, and has Piscataway for 
its chief place of resort. It extends from Mat- 
tawoman creek to the county line, and with 
that line to the Potomac. All the lands in this 
hundred are very poor, except those on Matta^ 
woman creek» Aquasco creek divides Prince 



of the State of Maryland, 125 

Frederick and Washington hundreds, and falls 
into ihe Patuxent. Mattapany branch divides 
the hundred of that name from Mount Calvert 
hundred. Spicer's creek divides Washington 
and Mottawoman hundreds. And branch 
divides Mount Calvert from Charlotte, and 
falls into the Patuxent. 

Prince George's county is considered, gene- 
rally, one of the richest counties in Maryland, 
but it is by those who are not sufficiently ac- 
quainted with the topography of the state. A 
great proportion of the lands are meanly poor* 
It is the lands in the wide flats, on the Patuxent, 
as at Aquasco, &c. &c. that are rich. The le- 
vels being from a mile to two miles wide, ex- 
tending from the river back to the hills. The 
planters generally erect their dwellings -upon 
t|ie hills, from which a crow may be seen to 
alight on any part of the plantation below. 
The lands in these extensive levels or flats, are 
fertile, producing wheat, rye, oats, Indian corn, 
and tobacco, equal to any lands in Maryland. 
From the heights there is an extensive, and 
beautiful view up and down the Patuxent. 
Some of the lands on the Potomac, and what 
are called, the rich forest lands, will produce 
abindant crops of Indian corn, and tobacco, 
bu-; very indifferent crops of wheat. Tobacco 
is the staple production of the county. 

The growth of trees generally, on the river 

lands, is white and red oak, poplar, hickory, 

wulnut, gum, and papaw, with the grape vine. 

On the river lands are also found rattlesnake 

M2 



126 Geographical Description 

root, black snake root, yellow pacoon, wild or 
bastard indigo, sassafras, and sarsaparilla.— 
Red^and white clover, blue grass, and timothy 
succeed well. 

The hilly, or forest lands, consist of a white 
and grey clay, unfriendly to cultivation. The 
trees are small, consisting of white oak, some 
chesnuts, black oak, blackjacks, hickory, and 
poplars, so that they afford but little timber for 
building, or boards for domestic use. 

The rivers afford abundance of herrings, 
shad, rock, and white perch; and the Potomac, 
besides these, abound with sturgeon, drum, 
and several other kinds of fish. 

Upper Marlborough^ the seat of justice for 
the county, is situated on the south west side of 
the Hatavisit or western branch of Patuxent 
river, about 18 miles from Washington city, 
and 20 from Annapolis. It was established by 
an act, passed the 19th of April, 1706, and 
re-surveyed, by order of another act, passed 
the 4th of June 1 744. The plan of the town is re- 
gular, but the houses are scattered, and few in 
number. The public buildings are a court 
house, a warehouse for the inspection of to- 
bacco, and an office for the clerk and register 
of the county. It is 47 miles south south west 
of Baltimore, and 149 south west of Philadel- 
phia. Lat. 38. 50. N. Ion. 1. 48. W. of Phi- 
ladelphia, and 77. 1. W. of Greenwich. 

Bladensburg^ a post town, in a hundred of 
the sam^ name, six miles east of Washington 
city. It is situated on the east side (^i the 



of the State of Maryland. 127 

eastern branch of Anacostia river, a branch of 
the Potomac, at the junction of the north west 
and north east branches. It consists of two 
principal streets, one extending due east from 
the river, the other running parallel to it. The 
situation is beautiful. Upon the hills, in the 
town, are several handsome buildings. The 
number of houses is reckoned at about one 
hundred. The soil in the vicinity is very poor, 
except on the water courses, on which are fine 
rich bottoms. 

Before the revolution there were about 10 or 
12 large stores in the town, owned mostly by 
Scotchmen, with a few Whitehaven merchants. 
They exported annually, from 1,200 to 1,500 
hog^sheads of tobacco ; but, since the war, the 
town has shared the same fate as the other 
small towns of the state, its trade being swal^ 
lowed up by that of Baltimore. By its conti- 
guity to Washington city, it keeps up the ap- 
pearance of a town, but it is in the houses on- 
ly. In the town is a valuable mineral spring, =* 
much frequented in the summer season, by 
those afflicted with bilious or nervous com- 
plaints. Bladensburg was established in 1 742. 
Sixt)" acres, divided into 60 lots, were granted 
by the legislature, for the scite of the town. 

Piscatazvay^ a small post town, in King 
George's hundred. It is situated on the south 
side of a creek of the same name, which falls 
into the Potomac, opposite to Mount Vernon. 

• See Mineral Springs, page 29' 



128 Geographical Description 

It contains about 25 or 30 families, and a few 
stores. Alexandria, from its contiguity, has 
monopolized the trade of Piscataway. It is 
18 miles below Washington city, 16 north of 
Port Tobacco, and 165 south west of Phila- 
delphia. 

^leen Anne^ a small post town, in Patux- 
ent hundred, on the west side of Patuxent ri- 
ver, over which is a wooden bridge. It is si- 
tuated upon an elevated plain, at the foot of a 
hill. I'he plan of the town is regular, but the 
houses are few and scattered. It has a few 
stores. The river is navigable in flat bottomed 
boats. Large quantities of the finest Mary- 
land tobacco, are annually shipped from Queen 
Anne. It is raised in Patuxent, Upper Marl- 
borough, Western Branch, and Horsepen hun- 
dreds, to the amount of about 1,400 or 1,50Q 
hogsheads annually, including some brought 
from the adjacent parts of Anne Arundel coun- 
ty, on the opposite side of the river. The 
town has gone much to decay, as well as all the 
other towns on the Patuxent, since the sur- 
prising growth and consequence of Baltimore, 
which is swallowing up^ in its vortex, the trade 
of all the towns in Maryland, and taking to it- 
self all the mercantile importance of the state. 
It is 13 miles south west of Annapolis, 39 
south by west of Baltimore, 25 from Wash^ 
ington city, and 141 from Philadelphia. 



of the State of Maryland. 129 



QUEEN ANNE. 

A county of the Eastern Shore, established 
in 1706. It is 41 miles in length, froni Bridge- 
town, to Kent point, the southern extremity of 
Kent island, and 22 in breadth, from Hillsbo- 
rough to Piney Point, on Chester river. 

It is bounded north and north west by Ches- 
ter river, which divides it from Kent county, 
west by the Chesapeak bay, east by Kent coun- 
ty, in the state of Delaware, south east by Ca- 
roline county, and south by Talbot. 

It contains 229,721 acres j and, in 1790 — 
8,789 free persons, and 6,674 slaves ; and, in 
1800- — 8,340 free persons, and 6,517 slaves; 
decrease in 10 years, 449 free persons, and 157 
slaves. 

The lands, in this county differ yery little 
from those of Kent. They are divided into 
uplands and lowlands ; yet no part of the coun- 
ty is much elevated above the Chesapeak bay. 
The uplands border on the heads of the rivers 
and creeks, adjoining the state of Delaware,. 
The most common growth of trees, in the up- 
lands, is white, red, and black oaks, hickory, 
and black walnut. 

The lowlands border on the lower parts of 
the rivers, and on the bay. The common 
growth of trees in the lowlands is maple, white 
and black gums, ash, pine, and cedar. 



130 Geographical Description 

The soil is generally fertile, producing good 
crops of wheat, Indian corn, and tobacco. 

The rivers, creeks, and bay, abound with 
various kinds of fish, oysters, terapins, and 
wild fowl. 

Centreville, a post town, and the capital of 
the county. I«t is situated upon a hand- 
some eminence, near Corsica creek, which 
empties into Chester river, about five miles be- 
low the town. It contains about 40 dwellings, 
several of which are handsome brick buildings. 
The court house has a fine appearance. About 
half a mile from the town is a landing place, 
on Corsica creek, from v/hich upwards of 20,00d 
bushels of grain are annually exported. Cen- 
treviile is 21 miles north of Easton, 15 soutk^ 
of Chester, and 72 from Washington city. 

Lat. 39. 4. N. Ion. 1. 0. W. of Philadel- ^ 
phia. 

Churchill^ a small post town, situated on the 
head of the south east branch of Chester river, 
nine miles north east of Centreville, and seven 
from Chestertown. It contains about 2Y dwell- 
ings, a mill, and about 200 inhabitants. The 
church is an ancient building, and stands on 
the west side of the town. The adjacent coun- 
try is agreeable, and fertile in almost all kinds 
of grain, and vegetables peculiar to the state. 

Churchill is 85 miles south west of Philadel- 
phia, and 82 from Washington city. 

^feensto7V7i^ a small post town, situated near 
the Chesapeak bay, 24 miles north by west of 
Easton, and 65 from Washington city. It was 



of the State of Maryland. 131 

©riginally the chief town of the county. It con- 
tains about 100 inhabitants. 

Bridgetown^ a village situated on the west 
side of Tuckahoe creek, a branch of Choptank 
river. It was established a town in 1732, and 
is 65 miles south west by south of Philadel- 
phia. 

Ruthsborough^ a village situated on Tucka- 
hoe creek, six miles south of Centreville. 



WORCESTER. 

The largest county of the Eastern Shore. It 
is 31 miles in length, from north to south, and 
26 in breadth, from east to west, containing 
416,114 acres. 

It was established, in 1742 ; and is bounded 
north by the state of Delaware, east by the 
Atlantic ocean, south by Accomac county, in 
the state of Virgina, and west by Somerset 
county, and the Chesapeak bay. 

It contained, in 1790 — 7,804 free persons, 
and 3,836 slaves; and, in 1800 — 11,972 free 
persons, and 4,398 slaves ; increase of free per- 
sons in ten years, 4,168, and of slaves 562. 

The principal rivers are the Pokomoke, St. 
Pi'iartin's, Assatigue, and Newport. 

Worcester county contains several extensive 
tracts of pine barrens, and large swamps. The 
soil on the uplands, towards the state of Dela- 
ware, is a mixture of sand and clay. The 
principal timber on these lands k red and white 



132 Geographical Description 

oaks, pines, and some hickory. The best 
lands produce walnut, and poplars. The low- 
lands or swamps, consist of a black soil, pro- 
ducing gum and maple. The exports are In- 
dian corn, wheat, oak timber, and cypress 
shingles. The rivers, and Sinepuxent bay af- 
ford plenty of red and black drums, mullet, 
perch, rock, herrings, oysters, clams, and te- 
rapins, &c. The wild fowl are geese, black 
ducks, partridges, doves, larks, &c. The 
fruit trees are those of apples, pears, peaches, 
plumbs, cherries, &c. which grow in great 
perfection, and abundance. 

Snowhilly a port of entry, and post town, 
and the seat of justice for the county. It is 
situated on the east side of the Pokomoke riv- 
er; and is built upon a remarkable sand hill, 
as white as snow. It is about 25 miles from 
the mouth of the Pokomoke, which is opposite to 
the town, about ten feet deep. The tide rises 
about two feet and an half. The town contains 
about 70 houses, principally old, low, wooden 
buildings. It has a court house, jail, a Pres- 
byterian, and an Episcopal church. A bridge 
is built over the river, which is here about 60 
yards wide. 

The lands in the vicinity, for some miles 
around, are sandy and barren. 

Snowhill was established in 1686. It is 158 
miles south by west of Philadelphia, and 158 
from Washington city. 

Lat. 38. 10. N. Ion. 0. 20, W. of Phila- 
delphia. 



of the State of Maryland, 133 

Popkirtown^ a small village, situated on the 
post road from Philadelphia to Snowhill, three 
miles from the Trap, 14 from Snowhill, and 
one mile and an half from the landing on New- 
port creek, which falls into Sinepuxent bay. 
It has a lofty situation, and contains about 12 
dwellings. A post office is established here, 
which was formerly kept at the Trap. 

Trap^ a small village, about 15 miles fro|n 
Snowhill, and three from Poplartown. 



FREDERICK. 

A large fertile county, 36 miles in lengthy 
from the mouth of Monacacy river to the Penn- 
sylvania line, and 31 J in breadth, from West- 
minster to the top of the South mountain. 

It is bounded north by Pennsylvania, east by 
Baltimore county, north west by Washington 
county, south west by the Potomac, which di- 
vides it from Virginia, and south by Montgo- 
mery. 

It contains 5 3 7,6 17 acres ; and, in 1790- — 
27,150 free persons, and 3,641 slaves ; and, in 
1800 — 26,941 free persons, and 4,572 slaves; 
decrease of free persons in ten years, 2,091, 
and increase of slaves 931. 

The principal rivers are the Potomac, which 
passes along the south west end of the county, 
and the Monacacy, which falls into the Poto- 
mac. The creeks are Bennet's, Bush, Linga^ 
nore, Fishing, Caroll's, Bellinger's, Pipe, and 
N 



134 Geographical Description 

Kitockton. On these are about 50 grist, saw, 
oil, fulling, and three paper mills. 

The soil is generally fertile, and in many 
places as productive as any in the state. Wheat, 
rye, barley, oats, spelts, Indian corn, tobacco, 
hemp, flax, and clover, with a variety of grasses, 
are the chief productions of the county. 

The most common growth of trees, is white, 
red, and Spanish oaks, poplar, walnut, wild 
cherry trees, hickory, sycamore, mulberry, 
&c. &c. 

Frederick county contains abundance of iron 
ore, slate, and limestone ; a copper mine near 
Liberty town, and flint stone, for making glass. 

There are two furnaces, and two forges, itL 
operation, which manufacture pig, hollow ware, 
and bar iron, to a considerable amount. 

Within a few miles of Fredericktown are 
two glass houses, which carry on the manufac- 
ture of glass with much spirit. 

Frederick county was established the 11th of 
June, 1748. . 

Fredericktown^ next to Baltimore, the largest 
tov/n in the state. It is situated on Caroll's, or 
Tuscarora creek, which, within a few miles, 
falls into Monacacy river, a branch of the Po- 
tomac. The Monacacy is navigable, about 17 
miles from its mouth, in boats carrying from 
50 to 100 barrels of flour. 

The town is regularly laid out, consisting o^ 
several parallel streets, intersecting each other 
at right angles. The principal streets are. 
Market, Patrick, and Church streets j besides 



of the State of Maryland. 135 

six or eight others, about 60 feet wide, and se- 
veral alleys from 16 to 20 feet wide. 

It contains about 700 houses, chiefly of stone 
and brick. 

The public buildings are, seven for divine 
worship, an elegant court house, a jail, brick 
market house, a town hail, poor house, and an 
academy, which is a large brick building, plea- 
santly situated on the north west side of the 
town. In front of the academy is a beautiful 
and spacious green, appropriated for the recre- 
ation of the students. The academy usually 
contains from 100 to 120 students, who are di- 
vided into four classes, each under the care of 
a proper master ; besides the academy, there 
are several private schools, for the education 
of boys and girls, in English and Dutch. The 
academy is under the direction of trustees, and 
is daily acquiring celebrity. 

Two bridges are built over CarolFs creek* 
Several of the houses in Frederick towi^ are neat 
and elegant. 

The inhabitants are composed of German 
Lutherans and Calvinists, English Presbyteri- 
ans, Roman Catholics, Baptists, and Method- 
ists, . 

It is a flourishing place, and carries on a 
brisk trade with the western country ; and when 
the great western turnpike, which is ^to pass 
through it, into Pennsylvania, and the state of 
Ohio., is completed, it will add greatly to the 
trade, wealth, and prosperity of the place.*— 

* See public improvements, page 49. 



136 Geographical Description 

Fredericktown will then become the great tho- 
roughfarcj between Baltimore and Philadelphia,, 
to the western country. 

It is 45 miles west by north of Baltimore, 
148 south west by west of Philadelphia, and 
44 from Washington city. Lat. 39. 26. N. 
Ion. E. 2. 19. W. of Philadelphia. 

Emittshurg^ a small post town, situated be^ 
tween Tom's creek, and Flat run, about a mile 
south of the Pennsylvania line. It is 50 miles 
north west of Baltimore, and 81 from Washw 
ington city. 

Liberty toxvn^ a small post town, 14 miles 
north east of Fredericktown, and 44 from 
Washington city. 

Middletown^ a small post town, situated near 
the west side of Middle creek, a branch of Ko- 
tockton creek, which falls into the Potomac. It 
is eight miles west by north of Fredericktown, 
and 53 from Washington city. 

Newmarket^ a small post town, situated near 
the west side of Bush creek, a branch of the 
Monocacy river, 13 miles west south west of 
Fredericktown, and 55 from Washington city. 

Creegerstown^ a village situated about a mile 
west of the Monacacy, and 12 north by east of 
Fredericktown. 

Taneytown^ a small post town, situated be- 
tween Piney run and Pine creek, ^7hich are at 
some distance. It is 71 miles from Washing- 
ton city, 

Westminster^ a small post town^ 26 miles, 



of the State of Maryland, ISiT 

north west of Baltimore, and 75 from Wash- 
ington city. 

Woodsborough^ a small post town, 37 miks 
from Washington city. 

Netvton^ or Trap, a small post town, si- 
tuated on Kotockton creek, seven miles south 
west of Fredericktown, and 55 from Washing- 
ton city. 

Union Mi'lls^ at thes€ milk a post office has 
been established. They are 70 miles from 
Washington city. 

Berlin^ and Buckeystown^ are two small vil- 
lages, mostly inhabited by tradesmen- 



CAROLINE, 

A county of the Eastern Shore, 34 J miles 
in length, from north to south, and 16 in 
breadth, from east to west, containing 205,343 
acres. 

It is bounded east by part of Kent and Sus- 
sex counties, in the state of Delaware, north 
and north west by Queen Anne county, south 
by Dorchester, and west by Tuckahoe creek, 
and Choptank river, which separate it from 
Talbot county. 

It contained, in 1790 — 7,449 free inhabit- 
ants, and 2,057 slaves; and, in 1800 — 7,361 
free persons, and 1,865 slaves ; decrease of 
free persons in ten years, 88, and of slaves 
192. 

N g 



138 Geographical Description 

It is well watered by Choptank river, Tucka- 
hoe, and Marshy Hope creeks. 

The lands in this county are* more elevated 
than those of Talbot or Dorchester. The soil 
and productions are the same as in those coun- 
ties. 

Denton, a small post town, and the seat of 
justice for the county. It is situated on the 
east side of Choptank creek, which, with the 
Tuckahoe, forms Choptank river, and is 2T 
miles south south east of Chestertown, and 101 
from Washington city. It is regularly laid out, 
but has few houses. 

Greensborough^ a small post town, situated 
on the west side of Choptank river, seven miles 
from Denton, and 109 from Washington city. 

Beartown, a small village, in the upper part 
of the county, about two miles from Tucka* 
hoe creek, eight north of Greensburg, and 23 
north east of Easton. 

Hillsborough^ a village situated on the east 
side of Tuckahoe creek, seven miles north 
west by west of Denton, and 27 south south 
west of Chestertown, 

Mount Pleasant, a small village, situated on 
the borders of Queen Anne county, about 12 
miles westerly of the west bpundary of the 
state of Delaware* 



of the State of Maryland. 139' 



HARFORD. 

A county of the Western Shore contaming 
236,926 acres. It is 28 miles in length, and 
23i in breadth ; is bounded east by the Susque- 
hanna, which divides it from Cecil county, on 
the Eastern Shore, north by York county, in 
the state of Pennsylvania, south east by the 
Chesapeak bay, and west by the Little Falls of 
Gunpowder river. It contained, in 1790 — 
11,559 free persons, and 3,417 slaves ; and, in 
1800 — 13,362 free persons, and 4,264 slaves ; 
increase of free persons in 10 years, 1,803; 
and of slaves 847. 

Harford is divided into 13 hundreds, viz. 
Upper Deer creek. Lower Deer creek. Upper 
Gunpowder, Lower Gunpowder, Eden, Deer 
creek. Broad creek, Upper Harford, Lower 
Harford, Susquehanna, Upper Bush river, 
Lower Bush river, Upper Spestitee, and Low- 
er Spestitae. 

It may properly be divided into the lowlands 
near the bay, and the high or forest lands to- 
wards Pennsylvania. The lowlands are the 
most fertile, producing from six to 30 bushels 
of wheat, and from 30 to 60 bushels of Indian 
corn per acre ; oats, river barley, rye, buck- 
vrheat, and flaxseed; likewise potatoes, tur- 
nips carrots, parsnips, beets, and onions. It 
also produces an abundance and variety of excel- 



140 Geographical Description 

lent fruit ; such as apples, pears, peaches, cher- 
ries, plumbs, &c. 

From the apples are made large quantities of 
cider of the best quality. 

The common growth of trees is oak, hicko- 
ry, walnut, chesnut, poplar, locust, birch, elm, 
pine, crabtree, gum, dogwood, persimon, sassa- 
fras, and the papaw. 

In different parts of the county are mineral 
springs, but they have not yet effected any re- 
markable cure, in any of those diseases to 
which man is incident, so as to obtain celebrity. 

In the northern parts of the county are a 
great many quarries of lime stone. The soap 
stone^ and isinglass stone are found in many 
places ; the latter, as it bears a great degree of 
heat, is used for backs to fire places. 

The principal creeks by which the county is 
watered, are Deer creek. Broad creek, and 
Rock run, which flow into the Susquehanna; 
Swan creek, which affords abundance of excel- 
lent fish called mockason, or sun fish, and her- 
rings, Romney creek, Bush river, and the Lit- 
tle Falls of Gunpowder, empty into the Chesa- 
peak ; Mill, Humphrey's, James, Binom's, and 
Winter's run, are tributary streams of Bush 
river. On these runs are erected several grist, 
and saw mills, and a number of valuable mer- 
chant mills ; and on Deer creek, are a forge, 
and a slitting mill. From the forge, and dif- 
^rent mills, in the county, are sent to Balti- 
more, bar and slit iron, flower, lumber, &c. 

Harford has twQ Episcopal churches, two 



oj the State of Maryland, 141 

chapels of ease ; two Presbyterian churches, 
one Roman Catholic, one Baptist, and one Ge- 
neral Baptist church, six Methodists, and 
three Quaker churches. (Sec article curiosi- 
ties, pagers 1.) 

Bellair^ a post town, and the seat of justice 
for the county, 23 miles from Baltimore, 77 
from Washington city, and 96 west south west 
of Philadelphia. It is 7 miles north west by 
north of Harford, has an elegant court house, 
^nd jail, and a Methodist meeting house. In 
the vicinity is the county poor house. The 
country around has a poor thin soil. Bellair 
contains about 160 inhabitants, about 40 of 
whom are blacks. In 1800 there were in the 
town four licenced taverns, three stores, two 
blacksmith's shops, two joiners, one chairma- 
ker, one shoemaker, one wheelwright, and one 
taylor. Lat. 39. 28. N. Ion. 1. 17. W. of 
Philadelphia, and 76* 30. W. of Greenwich. 

AhingdQ7i is situated upon a lofty eminence, 
one mile west south west of Harford. It con- 
tained in 1800, about 56 dwellings, and about 
240 inhabitants, of whonl 66 were blacks. It 
has about eight stores filled with the produce of 
the West India islands, and the various manu- 
factures of Europe. One tanyard, and several 
tradesmen's shops, Cokesbury college, a large 
and handsome edifice, established by the Me- 
thodists in 1785, was burnt down in 1796. 
Here are two schools, and a Methodist Episco- 
pal church. 



142 Geogi-aphical Description 

Harford^ a post town situated on Bush river, 
at the head of tide water, near the junction of 
Binom and James run, on the great poast road 
leading from Philadelphia to Baltimore. It con- 
tained in 1800, 16 dwellings and 130 inhabi- 
tants; a complete merchant mill, a tanyard, ^ 
cooper, wheel-wright and blacksmith shops, 
two stores, and two taverns. The lots belong- 
ing to the town are very fertile, and well adapt- 
ed for gardens and meadows. In the neigh- 
bourhood is a large bed of yellow ochre, of an 
excellent quality. Situated at the head of na- 
vigation, it enjoys a safe and easy water com- 
munication with Baltimore, and the different 
ports and rivers, which have immediate con- 
nexion with the Chesapeak. It carries on an 
extensive trade, in wheat, with the Eastern 
shore, Virginia, Harford county, and the souths 
ern parts of York, Adams and Cumberland 
counties, in the state of Pennsylvania. The 
situation is healthy and agreeable. In the vi- 
cinity are several neat country seats. It is 
seven miles south east of Bellair, 12 south west 
of Havre de Grace, 77 south west of Philadel- 
phia, 27 north east of Baltimore, 5^ north east 
of Annapolis, and 68 from Washington city. 

Lat. 39. 28. N. Ion. 1. 14. W. of Phil^^ 
delphia, and 76. 27. W. of Greenwich. 



cf the State of Maryland. 143 



MONTGOMERY. 

This county was established the 6th of No- 
vember, 1 776. It is 30 miles in length, and 22 
in breadth, and contains 356,326 acres. 

It is bounded north east by the river Patux- 
ent, which divides it from Anne Arundle coun- 
ty, and Poplar spring, formerly Par spring, 
which separates it from Baltimore county, 
south byPrince George's county, and the district 
of Columbia, west by the Potomac, which di- 
vides it from the state of Virginia, and north 
west by Frederick county. 

It contained in 1790 — 11,973 free persons, 
and 6,030 slaves; and in 1800—8,770 free 
persons, and 6,228 slaves ; decrease of free per- 
sons, in ten years, 3,203, and of slaves, 198. 

Montgomery county contained in 1806,. 38 
merchant and grist mills, eight or ten saw mills, 
two linseed oil mills, one powder mill, one full- 
ing mill, and one for making castor oil, a glass 
house, and forge. 

It is divided into the following hundreds, 
viz. Lower Potomac, Middle Potomac, Upper 
Potomac, Sugar Land, Sugar Loaf, Linganore, 
Seneca, Upper Newfoundland, Lower New- 
foundland, Rock creek, and North West. 

The face of the county is considerably varie- 
gated with hills and valleys. In the middle parts 
the lands are pretty generally of a good quality, 
and well timbered with yellow and white pop- 



144 Geographical Description 

lars, hickory, black and white oaks. The soil 
is well adapted to the cultivation of- wheat, rye, 
Indian corn, and tobacco ; and almost every 
other production to which the climate is conge- 
nial. The low grounds cannot be far exceeded 
by any in the United States, for producing 
abundant crops of the best timothy grass, whilst 
the plaster of Paris has the best effects upon the 
high lands. 

The upper parts are generally a light thin soilj 
though particularly well adapted to the culture 
of, what the planters term, fine tobacco. The 
timber is generally black and white oaks, inter-- 
mixed in some places with chesnut. 

The lower parts consist of a light chesnut 
soil, interspersed with white and black oaks. 
The lands are greatly exhausted by that ruin- 
ous, and injurious system of cultivation, alter- 
nate crops of corn and tobacco. In different 
parts of the county are found Spanish and ches» 
nut oaks, maple, beech, birch, dogwood, elm, 
the bark of which forms the best muciilage, ash, 
walnut, locust persimon, sycamore, holly and 
pine. 

A copper mine was discovered, about half a 
century ago, in the upper part of the county. 
It was partially worked, but the ore was either 
not found in sufficient quantity, or, was too poor 
to indemnify the expense of working the mine. 
Abundance of iron ore is found in the vicinity 
of Clarksburg. 

A quarry of slate was discovered, a few years 



of the State of Maryland, 145 

ago, near Hyatt's town. The slate is said to be 
of an excellent quality. 

In Montgomery county are five congrega- 
tions of Episcopalians, three Roman Catholics, 
and one of Friends, two Presbyterians, and 
seven of Methodists. 

Montgomery court house^ established by an 
act of assembly, under the title of Rockville^ is 
situated about 14 miles north west of Washing- 
ton city, on the great road leading from thence 
to Fredericktown. It contains about 40 dwell- 
ings, some of which are tolerably well built of 
brick. The public buildings are a brick court- 
house, and jail, without either taste or ele- 
gance. 

Clarksburg^ a post town, situated on the road 
from Washington city to Fredericktown, 27 
miles from the former, and 15 from the latter. 
It contains about 30 dwellings, chiefly of wood, 
and a church for public worship. In the neigh- 
bourhood is great abundance of iron ore* 
Within eight miles of the town are six merchant 
mills, and four others, a forge and a glasshouse. 
Clarksburg is situated nine miles from the Po* 
tomac, and 14 north west of Rockville. 

Charlesburg^ a post town situated nine miles 
west of Rockville, on the roid leading from 
thence to Leesburg, in Virginia. It contains 
about 10 or 12 wooden buildings, and is 2G 
miles from Washington city. 

Brookville^ a post town so named, in honour 
of Mr. James Brooke, a gentleman of large 
fortune, and distinguished urbanity. It is si- 
O 



l46 Geographical Description 

tuated on the west side of a small creek, called 
Reedy Branch, on the road leading from West- 
minster, in Frederick county, to the city of 
Washington, from which it is about 20 miles 
nearly due north. It contains about 15 dwell- 
ings, some of which are handsomely built of 
bricks, others of frame. At the east end of the 
town is a large stone mill, well provided with 
all the necessary machinery for manufacturing 
flour. At the west end are mills with all the 
necessary apparatus for manufacturing plaster 
of Paris, linseed oil and castor oil, from the 
palma christi. About 1,000 bottles of castor 
oil were made within these two last years, by 
the proprietor of the mill. Physicians have 
pronounced it of a superior quality to that which 
is generally imported. - 

Hyatfs toxun is situated about four miles 
from Clarksburg. It contains about 20 wooden 
houses. 

Barnesville, a village containing about eight 
dwellings. It is situate on the great rOad lead- 
ing from Ellicott's mills, to the mouth of Mo- 
nocasy. 

Lexini>-ton^ a small village situated on the road 
leading from Rockville to the mouth of Mono- 
easy, about 18 or 20 miles from the former. It 
contains about six wooden houses. 



of the State of Marijland, 145 



WASHINGTON. 

A rich fertile county, 49 miles long, and 27 
broad, but at Hancock, on the Potomac, not 
more than two. 

It contains 317,126 acres. 

It is bounded east by the South mountain, 
which divides it from Frederick county, north 
by the State of Pennsylvania, west by Sideling- 
hill creek, which separates it from Allegany 
county, and south west by the Potomac, which 
divides it from >*he State of Virginia. 

It was established in 1776, and contained, in 
1790 — 14,536 free persons, and 1,286 slaves; 
and, in 1800 — 16,450 free persons, and 2,200 
slaves ; increase of free persons, in ten years, 
1,914, and of slaves 914. 

It is divided into the following hundreds, 
viz. Upper Anti-Etam, Lower Anti-Etam, 
Elizabeth, Marsh, Manor, Sharpsburg, Salis- 
bury, Conecocheague, First Frederick, and 
Linton. 

Washington county lies principally between 
the North and South mountains ; and includes 
the fertile, and well cultivated valley, extend- 
ing on each side of Conecocheague creek. The 
lands are esteemed equal, if not superior, \\\ 
fertility, to any in the state. All that part of 
the county north west of the South mountain, 
extending in breath about 20 miles, to the Penn- 
sylvania line, is chiefly lime stone land, inter- 



148 Geographical Description 

spersed with some slate land. That part pf the 
county between the North mountain, and Alle- 
gany county, is hilly, and mountainous, and is 
mostly slate, and stony land, except the bot- 
toms on the Potomac, and the tributary streams, 
which fall into that river. Many of these bot- 
toms are exceedingly fertile, in all kinds of 
productions peculiar to the climate. 

Wheat, rye, Indian corn, oats, potatoes, hemp, 
flax, with a great variety of vegetables, are 
chiefly cultivated by the farmers. 

Large quantities of flour are manufactured, 
particularly on the Anti-Etam, and transported 
to Baltimore. In some seasons considerable 
quantities are sent down the Potomac, to 
Georgetown and Alexandria. Large quanti-^ 
ties of whiskey are distilled latterly, and sent 
to the different seaports. 

It contains mines of iron ore, for the manu- 
facturing of which three furnaces, and three 
forges have been erected, which manufacture 
pig, hollow ware, bar iron, &c. 

There are about 50 grist mills in the county, 
several saw mills, fulling, hemp, and oil mills. 

The water of the Anti-Etam turns 14 mills. 
It is the largest, and most constant stream in 
the county, and where the largest quantities of 
flour are manufactured. 

There are very few quarries of any other 
kind of stone than those of limestone, which 
are very abundant. It is the stone almost en- 
tirely used in building. In the North moun- 
tain, are quarries of freestone, but so hard that 



of the State of Maryland, 149 

they are not useil for any purpose, nor has any 
quarry been opened. 

In the South mountain is a remarkable cave^* 

Elizabethtorvn^ commonly called Hag'ers- 
to-wn^ a handsome and flourishing town, and 
the capital of the county. It is situated near 
Anti-Etam creek, 71 miles from Baltimore, 
and contains about 300 houses, a court house, 
jail, market house, school house, and four 
churches, viz. one for German Lutherans, one 
for German Calvinists, one for Episcopalians, 
and one for Roman Catholics* The town has 
a great number of clock and watch makers, 
blacksmiths, coppersmiths, gun and lock smiths, 
hatters, tanners, boot and shoemakers, saddlers, 
weavers, dyers, potters, coachmakers, and tay- 
lors J also a rope, and nail manufactory. The 
latter manufactures about 160lbs, of nails 
every day. It is 70 miles from Washington 
city, and 149 W* by S. of Philadelphia. 

Lat. 39. 57. N. Ion. 2. 38. W. of Philadel- 
phia, and 77 » 51. W. of Greenwich. 

Hancock^ a. small post town, situated on the 
N. bank of the Potomac, between the two 
Tonallaway creeks. It contains about 20 dwel- 
lings ; and is 29 miles W. of Elizabethtown, 
fov.r from Bath, in Virginia, 119 W. N. Vv' of. 
Baltimore, 179 W. by S. of Philadelphia, and 
100 from Washington city. 

Lat. 39. 39. N. Ion. 3. 2. W. of Phila- 
delphia. 

* See curiosities, page 33, 
2 



150 Geographical Description 

Boonesbiirg^ a small villagir", in which a 
post office is established. It is 62 miles from 
Washington city. 

Sharpsbiirgh^ a small post town, three miles 
from the Potomac. It is 14 miles S. E. by 
E. of Elizabethtown, 54 from Baltimore, and 
75 from Washington city. 

Williamsport, a small post town, situated 
on the N. side of the Potomac,, at the mouth 
of Conecocheague creek, it is six miles S. W. 
of Elizabethtown, 155 W. by S. of Philadel- 
phia, 77 from Baltimore, and 76 from Wash- 
ington city. 

yerusalem^ or Dimksto%vn\ is situated on 
Anti-Etam creek, about two miles and a half 
from Elizabethtown* It contains about 50 
houses, and a German church. 



ALLEGANY. 

A mountainous county, and the largest in 
the State, extending 64 miles from E. to 
W. and Z5 from N. to S. but in some 
places it is not more than five miles from 
N. to S. 

It is bounded N. by Bedford, Somerset, 
and Fayette counties, in the State of Penn- 
sylvania, E. by Washington county, W. by 
a due N. and S. line, which separates it from 
the State of Virginia, and S. by the river 
Potomac, which divides it frpm the same 
Stat^, 



of the State of Maryland* 151 

It contains 761,605 acres; and in 1790 — 
4,551 free persons, and 258 slaves ; and in 
1800 — 6,203 free persons, and 499 slaves, in- 
crease of free persons, in ten years, 1,652, and 
of slaves, 241. The county is divided into 
hundreds which are numbered, 1, 2, 3, &c. 
and into six election districts. 

The Eastern waters of the county are Sa- 
vage river, George's creek, Brcadhago and, 
Jenning's runs. Will's, Evit's, Old Town, 
Fifteen mile, and Sideling hill creeks, these 
flow into the Potomac, which is navigable, 
in boats of considerable burthen, 25 miles 
above Cumberland. The Western waters 
consist of Big and Little Youghiogany, which 
afford, in the proper season, fine trout, in 
abundance. The Eastern and Western waters, 
are divided by the Savage mountain. The 
Eastern waters, in places, afford suckers, fall 
fish, of a large size, and the comniion small 
catfish. 

The wild animals, and fowls, are deer, bears, 
wovles, foxes, raccoons, ground hogs, skunks, 
squirrels, rabbits, and sometimes the panther, 
turkies, pheasants, partridges, and a variety of 
small birds. From the inaccessableness of the 
mountains, the wild animals, farcenaturcc^ and 
wild fowl must necessarily be preserved for a 
great length of time. The legislature have 
prohibited the killing of deer, under a severe 
penalty, except in the months of August, 
September, October, and November, in or- 
der to preserve the breed. ' In many parts of 



152 Geographical Description 

the mountains are found inexhaustable mines 
of excellent coal. Many boats loaded with it, 
are annually sent down the Potomac, to the 
towns situated on the banks of that river. 

Immense bodies of iron ore are found in 
Warriors mountain ; and within a mile of the 
Potomac, are suitable, and convenient seats for 
furnaces, and forges. A furnace, and forge 
have been erected, which carry on the manu- 
facture of iron. 

The bottom lands on the Potomac, are very 
fertile, producing large crops of hemp, corn, 
tobacco, and grass j and after being cultivated 
for some years, yield abundant crops of wheat, 
and rye. Forty bushels have, in some instances, 
been produced from an acre. At no conside- 
rable distance from the rivers, and creeks, the 
lands become hilly ; between the hills, in seve- 
ral parts of the county, are large flats of good 
land. The hilly lands are covered with pines, 
of a pretty large growth, and when cleared, 
produce good crops of small grain, but they 
are particularly adapted to pasturage. About 
seven miles from Skipton is a settlement, called 
Murlis branch, consisting entirely of lime- 
stone land, of an^ excellent quality, which 
yields large crops of small grain. The soil of 
the mountains is particularly adapted to wheat, 
and grass, which will, no doubt, become, at 
some future day, the staple of the county. The 
glade country abounds with grass, which grows 
spontaneously, and is as well calculated for 
grazing as any in the United States^ The 



of the State of Maryland. 153 

wild grass, when cured, in the proper season, 
is equal to timothy. These glades will also 
produce excellent winter grain, potatoes, and 
the best oats. 

A large tract of country, between the Bair 
camps, and Cherrytree meadows, abounds with 
timber ; and is as well adapted to farming, and 
grazing, as any country, but is now a wilder- 
ness. 

The produce of the county consists of 
wheat, rye, barly, oats, potatoes, hemp, flax, 
buckwheat, speltz, hay, tobacco, turnips, &c. 

The common growth of trees is lin, cherry- 
tree, poplar, locust, walnut, cucumber, black 
and white oaks, pine, and maple. From the 
latter the inhabitants manufacture sugar, suf- 
ficient for the use of their families, and often 
for exportation. 

Good lands, in Allegany county, produce, 
on an avarage, one ton and a quarter of Timo- 
thy hay to the acre, two of clover, 18 bushels 
of wheat, weighing from 60 to 65lbs. per bush- 
el in the bottom lands 22 to 25 of rye, and in 
bottom lands 28 — 35 of Indian corn, 40 of 
oats, and in the glades 50 — 200 of potatoes, 
one ton of hemp, 200lbs. of flax, when cleaned, 
and 1200lbs. of tobacco. 

There are, in the county, 15 grist mills, 
most of which are calculated for manufactur- 
ing flour, in the best manner, having adopted 
Mr. Oliver Evan's, improvements, on mill 
machinery. There are also 11 saw mills. 



154 Geographical Description 

Allegany was taken from Washington, and 
established a county, by an act of the legisla- 
ture, passed, in 1790 — It has several curiosi- 
ties, see curiosities, page 33. 

Cumberland^ a large post town, and the seat 
of Justice for the county. It is situated on 
the N. side of the Potomac, at the mputh 
of Will's creek, a large rapid stream, which 
flows S. from Pennsylvania. It contains about 
250 dwellings, a court house, and underneath 
a jail, a market house, and three churches, 
for Methodists, who are the most numerous, 
one for Roman Catholics, and one for German 
Lutherans. The houses are principally of log, 
and frames , a few are of brick. Contiguous 
to the town are three merchant mills, which 
manufacture, large quantities of flour. Cum- 
berland was settled as early as 1750. It is 
149 miles W. by. N. of Baltimore, 277 W. 
of Philadelphia, and 148 from Washington 
city, lat. 39. 37. N. Ion. 3. 44. W, of Philadel- 
phia, and 78. 57. W. of Greenwich. 

Oldtown^ properly Skiptoriy a post town, sit^ 
uated on the N. side of the North branch of 
the Potomac, two miles above the junction of 
the North and South branches. It contains 
about 30 houses, 200 inhabitants, and a Me- 
thodist meeting houst. The North branch of 
the Potomac is navigable, about 60 miles, by 
the course of the river, above Oldtown. Jn 
Warriors mountain, which extends, from with^ 
in a mile of this town, into Pennsylvania, are 
inexhaustable mines of iron ore, lands, in the 



of the State of Maryland* \Ss 

vicinity sell from 50 cents to 60 dollars the 
acre. About ten miles from Oldtown, near 
the bease of Warriors mountain, are a warm 
and cold spring,* The waters of which unite, 
and form a considerable creek called Town 
creek. It flows into the Potomac, about five 
miles below Oldtown, and with the tributary 
streams which it receives, forms, at its dis- 
charges into that river, a natural mill seat, and 
turns one of the most valuable, and best con- 
structed merchant mills, in this part of the 
county. 

Oldtown is situated on the main road to 
Uniontown, Redstone, &c. in Pennsylvania, 
is 15 miles E. of Cumberland, 135 W. by N. 
of Baltimore, 213 W. by S. of Philadelphia, 
and 134 from Washington city. 

Cresapsburg^ a post town, five miles W. of 
Cumberland, situated on the great road lead- 
ing to Morgantown, and Clarksburg, Virginia, 
two miles from the Potomac, and 155 trom 
Washington city. It contains about 40 houses. 

Western Port^ or Georges creek^ a small post 
town, situated on the N. side of the I^orth 
branch of the Potomac, at the mouth of 
George's creek, on the great road leading from 
Winchester to Morgan town. It contains 
about 20 dwellings, and carries on a considera- 
ble trade. It is 152 miles from Washington city. 

Selby Port^ a small town 38 miles "W. of 
Cumberland. Ii is situated on the waters of 
Big Crossings creek. 

* See mineral springs, page 30 curiosities page 31. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION 



OF 



DELAWARE; 



ALSO 

OF THE COUNTIES RESPECTIVELY, 

WITH 

THE TOWNS IN EACH COUNTY. 

TO WHICH IS ADDED 

A LIST OF THE HUNDREDSr 

WITH THEIR POPULA TION IN 1 300. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION 



OF THE 



STATE OF DELAWARE. 



DELAWARE. 

IS situated between 38. 29. 30. and 39. 
51. N. lat. and O. 2. E. and 0. 41. W. Ion. of 
Philadelphia, or 75. 11. and 75. 54. W. Ion. of 
Greenwich. 

It is bounded west and south by Maryland, 
north by Pennsylvania, east by the river and 
bay of Delaware, and the Atlantic ocean. 

It is 92 miles from north to south, and 33 in 
breadth, from east to west, but opposite the 
mouth of Red Lion creek, it is not more than 
13 miles in breadth. 

It contains 1,267,200 acres ; and in 1790 — 
50,207 free persons, and 8,887 slaves ; and in 
1800 — 58,120 free persons, and 6,153 slaves.. 



160 Geographical Description 

Increase of free persons, in ten years, 7,913, 
and decrease of slaves, 2,734. 

The state is divided into the counties of New* 
castle, Kent and Sussex. 



FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

This state forms one extensive plain, inclin- 
ing to the river and bay of Delaware. It is 
interspersed with no hills, except those in the 
north and north west end of the state, towards 
Pennsylvania. A ridge of elevated land ex- 
tends, from the hills in Newcastle county, on 
the north, to the interior of Sussex county, on 
the south, parallel to the river and bay of De- 
laware. This is the most elevated tract of land 
in the peninsula, formed by the Chesapeak and 
Delaware bays, and the Atlantic ocean. Almost 
all the rivers in that part of the peninsula, call- 
ed the Eastern shore of Maryland, and those in 
the state of Delaware, have their sourse in this 
ridge, except Brandywine, Christiana and Elk 
rivers, which rise in the state of Pennsylvania. 
This ridge is, except in a few places, not more 
than 12 miles west of the Delaware bay, whilst 
it is more than twice that distance from the 
Chesapeak. A great number of short creeks^ 
from 12 to 16 miles in length, flow from this 
ridge into the bay of Delaware. They are ge- 
nerally bordered with large marshes, hence 
their banks are soft, and their bottoms muddy. 
Some of them arc navigable, six, eight, or ten 



of the State of Delaware. 161 

miles ; others have their navigation obstructed 
by shoals. The country being extremely low 
and level, springs of water are not near so nu- 
merous as in more elevated and hilly countries. 
Water is found in great plenty for domestic 
use, by sinking wells. It is of a very good qua- 
lity, and much superior to the water that is ge- 
nerally found in the west side of the peninsula, 
towards the Chesapeak bay, in the state of Ma- 
ryland. 

Many of the swamps on the river and bay of 
Delaware, are made valuable by raising dykes, 
which prevent them from being overflowed by 
the tides. Those marshes that are defended 
from the tides, by large embankments of earth, 
afford large quantities of coarse hay. 

The hills in the north parts of the state, are 
estimated at about 500 feet above the tide wa- 
ter of the Delaware, at Newcastle. 



SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. 

The soil in the north parts of the state, to- 
wards Pennsylvania, consists of a red, white, 
and yellov/ clay, intermixed, in some places 
with gravel and small pebbles. This constitutes 
the soil of about the one third part of Newcas- 
tle county. On the river Delaware, and south 
of Christiana creek, the lands are low and 
marshy ; the soil of the marshes consists of a 
soft black earth, and in the elevated parts of a 
vellowish clay, intermixed with sand. Kent 
P2 



162 Geographical Description 

county is considered the garden of the state, 
but there is in Newcastle county, bordering on 
the Delaware, many tracts of as fertile land as 
any in the state. In the south part of the state 
the soil is light, poor, and sandy, chiefly adapted 
to raising of Indian corn. 

There is not perhaps, in the union, a state 
which raises a larger proportion of good wheat 
than Delaware. It is particularly sought after 
by the manufacturers of flour. Indian corn, 
rye, buckwheat, barley, flax and potatoes, are 
not found of a better quality, or in greater 
abundance in any part of the union. 

Apples, pears, peaches, plumbs, several kinds 
of cherries, grow in great perfection and abund- 
ance, besides various kinds of vegetables, roots^ 
and small fruit. 



RIVERS AND CREEKS. 

Delaware river, which partly belongs to this 
state, is one of the most considerable in the 
union. There is no river in the United States, 
through whose channel so many ships sail to, 
and from foreign ports. 

It is formed by two branches which rise in the 
state of New York. The northernmost is cal- 
led the Mohawk's branch. It rises in Dela- 
ware county, runs a south west course about 
50 miles, thence south east by east, and becomes 
the divisional line of Pennsylvania and New 
Jersey, seven miles below which it receives the 



of the State of Delaware^ 163 

Popachton branch, continuing a, south course to 
the Atlantic ocean, between the states of Penn- 
s}'lvania and New Jersey, passes Milford, 
Alexandria, Easton, Trenton, Lamberton, Bor- 
dentown, Bristol, Burlington, Philadelphia city, 
Chester, Marcus Hook, a few miles below 
which it becomes the divisional line between 
the states of Delaware and New Jersey. Pur- 
suing a south east by east course, it enters the 
Atlantic between cape May on the east, and 
cape Henlopen on the west. It is navigable in 
a 64 gun ship, to Philadelphia, 120 miles, by 
the course of the river. The principal rivers 
and creeks, which it receives from the state of 
Delaware, are Brandy wine, Christiana, Appo- 
quinimink, Duck creek, Jones's, Murderkill, 
Broadkill, and Lewes creek. 

All that part south of Reedy island, to the 
Atlantic ocean, v/hich is about 60 miles, is cal- 
led the bay of Delaware. It is in some places 
30 miles wide. Reedy island is the rendezvous 
of outward bound vessels in autumn and spring, 
from the ports of Philadelphia and Wilming- 
ton. Vessels of every description, find at all 
times, a safe harbour at Reedy island, where 
piers are erected. The navigation is easy and 
safe. Vessels are generally about 24 hours in 
ascending to Philadelphia. The bay is about 
18 miles wide from cape Henlopen to cape 
May; abou^ 15 miles further up, it is 30, at 
Reedy island three, and at Philadelphia, 1,362 
yards. 



164 Geographical Description. 

A light house has been erected since the re- 
volutionary war, on cape Henlopen, the 
former one was burnt in 1777, It is a hand- 
some stone structure in the form of an octa- 
gon, 115 feet high. It stands upon ground ele- ' 
vated nearly the same height above the level 
of the ocean. The lantern is betv/een seven 
and eight feet square, lighted with eight lamps. 
Around the lantern a strong wire net work, in 
order to prevent birds from breaking the glass 
at night. The yearly expense of the light- 
house is estimated at about 650 pounds. 

The ancient Indian name of this river was 
Chihohocki, from a nation of Indians of that 
name, who dwelt on its western bank, as far 
down as Duck creek. They were a confede- 
rate tribe of the Lenopiior Delawares. It was 
afterwards called South river, by the Dutch 
who resided in the state of New York. It re- 
ceived its present name from lord Delaware, 
who put into it on his passage to Virginia, in 
1610. 

BrandyxviJie river rises in the north parts of 
Chester county. It runs south, enters the 
state of Delaware, in Ne\ycastle county, and 
joins the Christiana a little beiow Wilmington, 
an act was past by the legislature of Pennsyl- 
vania, for cutting a canal along this river. It 
has not met with success, as few would hazard 
their money in the undertaking. Several 6f 
the finest merchant mills in the United States 
are situated on this creek, in the neighbour- 



of the State of Delaxvare, 165 

hood of Wilmington. "^ Brandy wine river is 
navigable some miles. 

Christiana^ a small navigable river. It rises 
in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and flowing- 
south south west about 12 miles, turns sudden- 
ly to the north east by east, passes Christiana, 
and receives from the north, in one current 
Red and White clay creeks. It flows by Nev/- 
port, and passing Wilmington, receives Bran- 
dywine, and winding gradually to the south 
east, empties into the river Delaware, about 
two miles below Wilmington. It is extremely 
crooked. Ships drawing 1 1 feet water pass up 
to Wilmington, and shallops to Christiana. 
The contemplated canal, which is to open a 
navigable communication between the Dela- 
ware and Chesapeak bays, is designed to enter 
the Christiana, a few miles below Christiana 
bridge. 

Appoquinimink creek rises in that elevated 
ridge which separates the waters of the Chesa- 
peak from those of the Delaware. It flows 
east, and falls into Delaware bay, about three 
miles below Reedy island. It receives Dray- 
er's creek, about a mile above its entrance into 
the bay. Appoquinimink is navigable some 
miles. 

Duck Creek^ rises near the western boundary 
of the state, flows east, and enters Delaware 
bay, on the north side of Bombay Hook island* 
It is navigable to Duck Creek cross roads» 

* See manufactures, page 40, 



166 . Geographical Description 

Joneses Creeky rises towards the north west 
part of 'Kent county, runs south east passes 
Dover, then east and falls into the Delaware 
bay. It is navigable about six miles. 

Murderkill rises on the west borders of the 
state, flows east, then north east and falls into 
the bay of Delaware. It is navigable a few 
miles. 

Mispillon^ rises in the south part of the coun- 
ty of Kent, runs east a few miles, then north 
east and south east, and empties into Delaware 
bay. It is a great part of its course the south 
boundary of the county. 

Nanticokey Indian river, Lewes creek, see 
Sussex county, Broadkill^ see Milton. 

Rehoboth Bay, in the south end of Sussex 
county, is a basin of salt water, about six miles 
long, and four broad. The east side is separatr 
ed, from the Atlantic ocean, by a neck of sand 
and marsh, over which the sea passes in hiird 
easterly storms. The bay communicates with 
Indian river, at the south east corner, by two 
mouths, which at the bay is very shallow ; the 
communication being so small that the water 
rises and falls but a few inches, and especially 
on the Rehoboth side, except v/hen the sea 
breaks into it. This bay once so famous for 
oysters of the largest kind, furnishes now hard- 
ly enough to compensate for the labour of tak- 
ing them up, but abounds in mullet, sand perch, 
drum, shad, crocus, rock, some sheepshead, 
and cockles. 



of the State of Delaware, 167 



TREES, SHRUBS, AND PLANTS. 

For an account of these see page 24 of the 
general description of Maryland ; as most of 
those enumerated there grow in this state. 



MINERAL SPRINGS. 

There has not been discovered any mineral 
spring that has obtained hardly any notice. 
There is, about a mile and a half from Middle- 
town, a curious spring, which issues from an 
excavation in a rock. The water is said to be 
a weak chalybeate. The water in some places, 
in Sussex county, appears to be impregnated 
with mineral substances. 



ORES AND QUARRIES. 

Bay iron ore, which is found on the head 
branches of Nanticoke river, is the only one 
that has yet been discovered in the state. 
Quarries of stone are found, in some parts of. 
Newcastle county. 



168 Geographical Description. 



CURIOSITIES. 

Below the; breast of a mill pond, called Rum- 
sey's, situated, about 100 yards east of the di- 
visional line of Maryland, on a stream which 
empties into Bohemia river. The water ooses 
out of the bank, and waste-gate, and forms a 
number of stalactites of a coiiical figure. They 
are called by some eye-stones, being used, when 
reduced to fine powder, to take off films from 
the human eye, as well as the eyes of horses. 

My respectable friend Mr. Ellis Chandlee of 
the Brick meeting house, in Cecil county, pro- 
cured some of the stalactites, and tried the fol- 
lowing experiments. He first burnt them in a 
strong heat, and when cold, poured on them a 
small quantity of water. They instantly be- 
gan to heat and smoke, and formed a very white 
lime. The taste was bitter, urinous, and caus- 
tic. He took some of the lime and mixed it 
with crude sal ammoniac, it immediately dis- 
charged a large quantity of the volatile spirit of 
sal ammoniac, similar to that produced from 
crude sal ammoniac, and lime made of the 
common limestone. He dissolved some of the 
lime produced from the stalactites, in water, 
and rdded a fev/ drops of the oil of olives ; on 
stiriinp: it 'x beautiful white scaj) was formed of 
comn /. le and oil of olives, which he tried 
and Q'y.- ^:.:.\'s.:a.., rit the same time he was mak- 
ing tr,c an^ive experiments. 



of the State of Delaware. 169 

From these experiments he is induced to be- 
lieve, that the water which supplies the mill 
pond, is strongly impregnated with lime, in its 
passage under the surface of the earth, through 
a bed of limestone, or a bank of oysters or ma- 
rine shells. 

As the land is very level where the water 
originates from the springs, one cannot sup- 
pose that the limestone or marine shells are of 
any great depth. It is worth the attention of 
the farmers in the neighbourhood, to examine 
and dig in several places, in order to make the 
discovery. 



CLIMATE. 

The climate of this state is similar in every 
respect to that on the eastern shore of Mary- 
land, as they are separated only by an imagin- 
ary line. The seasons commence at the same 
time ; the heat of the summer and cold of winter 
are similar, and the diseases which are preva- 
lent in the one, is also prevalent in the other, 
see page 37. 



WILD ANIMALS AND FOWLS. 

For an enumeration of the wild animals and 
fowls, see the geographical description of JNla- 
rvland, page 28. 

Q 



170 Geographical Description 

Note, although these animals are mdigenousj 
yet we believe very few of them are to be found 

'in the state at the present time. 



MANUFACTURES. 

The most important manufacture carried on 
in this state, is that of Hour. There are about 
200 merchant and grist mills, which manufac- 
ture considerable quantities of the best flour. 
The most valuable collection of mills in the 
United States, except those in the vicinity of Bal- 
timore, are situated on Brandywine river, about 
half a mile north of Wihiiington. They con- 
sist of 12 mills for grinding merchantable flour, 
and a saw mill. They grind annually about 
300,000 bushels of v/heat and Indian corn ; but 
if they were constantly supplied with grain, 
they w ould grind 400,000 bushels. They give 
employment to about 200 persons, viz. 40 to 
attend the mills, from 50 to 70 coopers, to 
make casks for the flour, besides those employ- 
ed in manning 12 sloops, employed in the trans- 
portation of grain and flour. The remaining 
hands are engaged in the various occupations 
connected with the mills. 

The navigation of the Brandywine is so very 
convenient, that a sloop carrying 1,000 bush- 
els, can lie along side of any of the mills to 
load or unload. Some of the mills will admit 
vessels to lie along side of them, carrying 
2.000 bushels. 



of the State of Dekavare. 171 

The sloops are unloaded with singular expe- 
dition, by means of the machinery invented by 
the ingenious Mr. Oliver Evans, in many in- 
stances 1,000 bushels have been carried to the 
height of four stories in four hours. By means 
of Mr. Evans's machinery, the Vvdieat is carried 
from the shallop's deck, to the upper loft of the 
mill, and a large quantity of the same returned 
in flour, on the floor ready for packing, without 
the assistance of manual labour, but m a vers 
small degree. 

It is about 40 years since the first mill was 
built at this place. A stone bridge erected 
over the river, whence the mills, dwellings, 
and vessels loading and unloading, have a hand- 
some appearance. 

There are four paper mills in the state, 
which manufacture a considerable quantity of 
that useful article, and three rolling and slitting 
mills. 

The inhabitants manufacture the greater 
part of their wearing apparel. They also ma- 
nufacture leather, shoes, boots, hats, saddles, 
axes, drawing knives, nails, starch soap, can- 
dles, all kinds of culinary and farming utensils, 
iDesides rope making, ship building, clocks, 
Vv^atches, household furniture, &c. 



RELIGION. 

The Presbyterians have 24 churches for pub- 
lic worship, the Episcopaliansl4,andthe Baptists 



172 Geographical Description 

seven ; but the Methodists compose nearly one 
half of the population of the counties of Kent 
and Sussex, 



MILITIA. 

The militia of the state, which consists of 
about 9,000 men, was abolished by an act of 
the legislature, passed in 1800. It was passed 
at the moment of delusion and political frenzy, 
for nothing short of these could lead to the dis- 
arming of the national force. 



TRADE AND COMMERCE. 

See article Wilmington, page 1 78. 

A brief account of Delaware^ with a list of the 
governors, 

Delaware was first settled by the Dutch in 
1623, and then constituted part of New Nether- 
lands, which included the present state of New 
York, New Jersey, and Delaware. The 
Swedes and Fins arrived in 1627, and landed 
at Cape Henlopen, the interior cape of Dela- 
ware, which, from its pleasant appearance, 
they named Paradise Point. It is said they 

* See Proud's History of Pennsylvania. 



of the State of Delaware,. 172 

purchased of the Indians, the lands on each 
side of the Delaware as lar up as the falls of 
that river, where Trenton now stands, wdiich 
they called New Swedeland stream. The 
Dutch frequently disturbed the Swedes and 
Fins. They erected a fort at Whoarkill inl630,^ 
notwithstanding they all united in expellingthe 
intrusion of the English. In 1631, the Swedes 
erected a fort on Christiana creek, near Wil- 
mington. They erected fort Casimer in 1651.f 
John Printz continued governor till 1654, 
That year returned to Sweden, cmd appointed 
his daughter's husband, John Papegoia, gover- 
nor, who sometime after returning to his native 
country, left the government in the hands of 
John Risingh. In 1655, the Dutch of New 
Amsterdam, now New York, which was then 
the metropolis of New Netherlands, fitted out 
six or seven vessels, with six or seven hundred 
men under the command of Peter Stuyvesant, 
their governor. They sailed up the river De- 
laware, and compelled the Swedes to deliver 
up their forts. :j: The country on the west side 
>of the Delaware, consisting of the counties of 
Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, w^as placed under 
the command of lieutenant governors, cc mmis- 
sioned by the director general of New Amster- 
dam, under whose controul they acted. 

The first lieutenant governor was John Paul 

* See Proud, page 39. 

t See page 21. 

t See Proud's History of Pennsylvania. 

Q2 



174 Geographical Description 

Jacquet, his successors were Alricks, Hino- 
jossa, and William Beekman. 

In 1664, Delaware, then called New Sweden, 
and all that tract of country possessed by the 
Dutch and called New Netherlands, was grant- 
ed by Charles the second of England, to his 
brother James, duke of York and Albany, 
Colonel Richard NicoUs was the same year, ap- 
pointed governor of all the territories granted 
to the duke of York, he. Governor Lovelace 
surxeeded NicoUs about the year 1669. The 
country being conquered by the Dutch in 1672, 
Anthony Cloven was commissioned governor, 
but by the treaty of peace in 1674, the country 
was restored to the English, when the duke of 
York appointed Sir Edmund Andross gover- 
nor. The duke of York, &c. by two deeds of 
feoffment, dated the ^4th August, 1682, grant- 
ed to William Penn, proprietor of Pennsylvania, 
the whole of this territory. I^ continues un- 
der the direction of the sam^ governors as 
Pennsylvania, tiU after the declaration of inde- 
pendence, when it was admitted to be one of 
the Thirteen United States of North America. 
A list of the governors since it became an in- 
dependent state. 

John JV^I'Kinley, 

Nicholas Vandyke, > 

Csesar Rodney, 

Joshua Clayton, 

Richard Basset, 

Gunning Bedford, 

David Hall, 

Nathaniel MitcheL 



of the State of Delaware, 1 75 



NEWCASTLE. 



The most northerly of three counties in the 
state, bounded east by the river Delaware, 
which separates it from New Jersey, north by 
the state of Pennsylvania, south by Kent county, 
and west by the state of Maryland. 

It is 47 miles in length, from north to south, 
and 20 in breadth, from east to west, containing 
336,000 acres. 

In 1790, it contained 17,124 free in- 
habitants, and 2,562 slaves j and in 1800 — 
23,623 free inhabitants, and 1,838 slaves. 
Increase of free persons in ten years, 6,499, and 
decrease of slaves 724. 

The principal creeks are Brandywine, White 
and Red Clay, Christiana, Drawyer's, Appo- 
quinimink. Bird and Duck Creek, which is 
partly the south boundary of the county. 

The lands tow^ards Pennsylvania are hilly. 
The soil in many places a light friable earth, 
in others it is a red and white clay. There are 
some excellent bodies of land along the river 
Delaware, Christiana creek, and the lower parts 
of Red and White Clay creeks. 

The chief productions are wheat, rye, Indian 
corn, flax and potatoes, with great abundance, 
and variety of excellent fruit, vegetables, and 
edible roots. 

The most common growth of trees is various 



t7'6 Geographical Description 

kinds of oak, hickory, walnut, mulberry, maple, 
pine, sassafras, gum, poplar, locust, &c. 

In Newcastle county are 60 mills for grind- 
ing grain, four paper mills, two snuff mills, one 
slitting mill, and several fulling mills. 

It is divided into the following hundreds, viz. 



Population in 1800. 




Brandywine 
Christiana 


Free persons. 
2130 
6239 


Slaves 

53 

186 


Appoquinimink 
Mill Creek 


3902 
2112 


343 
82 


Newcastle 


2203 


255 


Pencader 


1921 


211 


Red Lion 


730 


142 


St. Georges 
White Clay Creek 


2884 
1502 


481 
105 


Total 


23,623 


1,838 



Newcastle^ a post town, and the seat of jus- 
tice for the county. It is pleasantly situated on 
the west side of Delaware river, 40 miles be- 
low Philadelphia. It contains about 160 
houses, and 1200 inhabitants. A great many 
of the houses have been built within these few 
years, and some of them in a handsome style. 
.The public buildings are a court house, jail, 
three public offices, a market house, an academy, 
in which three schools are kept, a church for 
Presbyterians, one for Episcopalians, one for 
Quakers, and one fo? Roman Catholics. Four 



of the State of Delaware, 177 

public piers are erected in the Delaware, in 
front of the town, for the protection of ship- 
ping in the winter season, and for the better se- 
curing the harbour. 

Newcastle is the oldest town on the river 
Delaware. It was first settled by the Swedes 
about the year 1627. In 1651 they erected a 
fort and named it Casimer, afterwards v/as cal- 
led by them Stockholm, in honour of the metro- 
polis of their native country. Falling into the 
hands of the Dutch, they named it New Amster- 
dam. Some years after it fell into the hands of 
the English, from whom it received its present 
name. It was incorporated by the governor of 
New York, in 1672, and was governed by a 
baliff and six assistants for many years. It 
was formerly the seat of government for the 
three lower counties. Very little business was 
done in it for a great many years. Its trade 
began to revive about 15 years ago, since 
which it has increased considerably. Almost 
all the vessels bound from Philadelphia to fo- 
reign ports, stop here and supply themselves 
with live stock. A great line of packets and 
stages passes through it from Philadelphia to 
Baltimore, by way of Frenchtown. Vast quan- 
tities of merchandise are sent by this route, 
from Philadelphia to the western country. It 
is at present, one of the greatest thoroughfares 
for travelling in the United States. There are 
seven large and well accommodated packets, 
which sail constantly between this port and 
Philadelphia, and from 10 to 15 heavy waggons. 



178 Geographical Description v 

for the transportation of goods and passengers; 
across the peninsula to Frenchtown ; besides^; 
four land stages. 

The police of Newcastle is under the direc- 
tion of five commissioners, who regulate the : 
town and levy taxes. They also, with the 
health officer, constitute the board of health. 

It is six miles below Wilmington, and 122 
from ¥/ashington city. Lat. 39. 38. N. Ion. 
0. 25. W. of Philadelphia, and 75. 38. W. of 
Greenwich. 

Wilmington^ a port of entry and post town. 
Uhe ia.rgest and most flourishing town in the 
state. It is situated between Christiana and 
Brandywine creeks, about two miles west of 
the river Delaware. The creeks are about a 
mile apart. They unite below the town and 
fall into the Delaware river, at which place they 
are about 300 yards wide. The Christiana is 
navigable in ships drawing 11 feet water up to 
the town. Wilmington is situated on the north 
side of this creek, upon the south west side of 
a hill, on Brandywine creek, are 13 elegant 
merchant mills, and between 40 and 50 hand- 
some dwellings. 

The town is regularly laid out, on a plan 
similar to that of Philadelphia, consisting of 
parallel streets, extending f»om the creek, in- 
tersected by others at right angles. It contains 
about 800 houses mostly of brick. The public i 
buildings are a town hall, two market houses, a 
poor house which stands on the west side of the 
town, 120 feet by 40, and three stories high., 



of the State of Delaxvare* 1 79 

The houses for public worship are two for 
Presbyterians, one for Swedish Lutherans, one 
for Quakers, one for Baptists, and one for Me- 
thodists. Wilmington carries on a very con- 
siderable trade with Philadelphia, and some 
with foreign countries. It is estimated that 
Philadelphia receives annually from Christiana 
creek, and the other navigable creeks which 
empty into the river Delaware, about 265,000 
barrels of flour, 300,000 bushels of wheat, and 
180,000 of Indian corn; also large quantities 
of barley, oats, flaxseed, paper, slit iron, snuff", 
salted provisions, &c. The flour, wheat, and 
Indian corn, are not solely the produce of the 
state of Delaware. A large proportion of 
these articles is the produce of York, Lancaster, 
Dauphin, Cumberland and Chester counties, in 
the state of Pennsylvania. It is estimated that 
flour to the amount of 500,000 dollars, is annu- 
ally manufactured on the Christiana creek, and 
its tributary streams, within about three miles 
of navigation. 

Wilmington is the only port in the state, from 
which commerce is caried on with foreign na- 
tions. 

The exports in 1790, amounted to 199,840 
dollars; in 1792 — 133,972 dollars ; in 1793 — 
71,242 dollars; in 1794 — 233,460 dollars; in 
1797 — 98,929 dollars; in 1798 — 183,727 dol- 
lars ; in 1801 — 662,042 dollars ; and in 1805 — 
358,383. In 1796, Wilmington owned 5,085 
tons of shipping ; in 1797 — 6,885; in 1798— 
6,791 ; in 1800— -6746 ; and in 1804—8,112, 



180 Geographical Description 

The first houses were built here about the 
year 1735. It was a few years after incorpo- 
rated, and is governed by two burgesses, six 
assistants, and two constables, all of whom are 
annually elected. 

It is 28 miles south west of Philadelphia, and 
117 from Washington city. . Lat. 39. 42. N, 
Ion. 0. 24. W. of Philadelphia, and 75, 37. W. 
of Greenwich. 

Newport^ a post town, situated on the north 
side of Christiana creek, three miles above 
Wilmington. It carries on a considerable trade 
in flour with Philadelphia, and contains about 
40 dwellings. The plan of the town is regular, 
consisting of parallel streets extending from the 
creek, and intersected by others at right angles. 

Christiana^ a post and trading town, situated 
on a creek of the same name, at the head of 
sloop navigation, nine miles south west of Wil- 
mington. The town stands partly on the side 
of a hi^l, from which there is an agreeable pros- 
pect towards the river Delaware. It contains 
between 50 and 60 dwellings, and a Presbyte- 
rian church. Several of the houses are built of 
brick. It carries on a brisk trade in flour with 
Philadelphia. It is S7 milt s south west of Phi- 
ladelphia, and 108 from Washington city. 

Middletoxvn^ a small post town, situated 
nearly in the centre between the navigable wa- 
ters of Bohemia river, on the Eastern Shore 
of Maryland, and the navigable waters of 
Appoqainimink creek, which flows into the 
Hver Delaware. It is from the former four 



of the State of Delaxvare, l8 1 

miles, and from the latter three, and contains 
about 30 dwellings, mostly of brick, an Epis- 
tiopalian, and a Presbyterian church. ^ The 
principal produce of the neighbourhood is In- 
dian corn and wheat. Clover has of late been 
partially introduced, and is found to answer 
every expectation. It is 24 miles from Dover, 
19 from Newcasde, 25 from Wilmington, and 
117 from Washington city. 

CantzveWs bridge^ a small post town, IS 
miles from Duck creek, 52 from Philadelphia^ 
and 141 from Washington city. It is situated 
on Appoquinimink creek, over which is a 
draw-bridge to admit the passage of boatSi 

Noxontoxvn^ a small village, about two miles 
from Middletown, and 27 from Wilmington. 

Newark^ a small town situated on the road 
from Christiana to the Susquehanna. It con- 
tains about 60 houses, and is six miles from 
Christianai 

KENT. 

A fertile, and populous county, 40 miles in 
length, from north to south, and 26 in breadth, 
from east to west. 

It contains 355,000 acres ; and is bounded 
east by the bay of Delaware, which separates 
it from New Jersey, north by Newcastle coun- 
ty, west by the state of Maryland, and south 
by Sussex county. 

" it contained, in 1790 — 16,620 free persons, 
and 2.300 slaves; and in 1800—18,009 free 
R 



182 Geographical Description 

persons, and 1,485 slaves. Increase of free 
persons in ten years 1,389, and decrease of 
vslaves 815. 

The principal creeks which empty into the 
bay of Delaware, beginning north, are Duck 
creek, which is common to this and Newcastle 
county ; Little Duck creek, Jones's, Murder- 
kill, and Mispillion which is partly the boun- 
dary of the county on the south of Choptank 
river, which flows south west, and falls into 
the Chesapeak bay, rises in the west side of 
this county. 

The most common growth of trees are oaks 
of different kinds, hickory, pine, walnut, ma- 
ple, gum, sassafras, poplar, &c. 

The lands are generally esteemed the most 
fertile of any in the state. 

The following are the hundreds into which 
the county is divided, with the population in 
18C0. 





Free Persons. 


Slaves 


Duck creek 


3380 


345 


Little creek 


1775 


133 


Mispillion 


4750 


486 


Murderkill 


6731 


383 


St. Jones's 


1373 


138 



Total 18,009 1,485 

Dovery the metropolis of the state. It is 
situated on Jones's creek, four miles direct 
from the bay, and consists of four streets, 



- of the State of Delaxvare, 183 

which intersect each other at right angles. The 
area, included within the intersection of the 
four streets, forms a handsome and spacious 
square. On the east side of the paravle is an 
elegant state house, built of brick. It gives 
an air of grandeur to the town. The houses, 
which are chiefly built of brick, amount to 
about 120. 

The high court of errors and appeals sits 
here annually, on the first Tuesday in August. 
Supreme courts are held on the fourth after 
the fourth Tuesday in April and October. 
Also courts of common pleas, and quarter ses- 
sions for the county. 

Dover carries on a brisk trade with Phila- 
delphia, chiefly in wheat, and Indian corn. 
The landing, on Jones's creek, is five miles 
from the town. 

It is 76 miles south of Philadelphia, and 141 
from Washington city. Lat. 39. 11. N. Ion. 
O. 26. W. of Philadelphia, and 75. 3'9. W. Ion. 
of Greenwich. 

Duck creek^ a post town situated on a creek 
of the same name, which partly separates the 
counties of Kent and Newcastle. It contains 
about 100 houses, which have a handsome ap- 
pearance, and carries on a brisk trade v/irh 
Philadelphia, in wheat and Indian corn. It 
has an Episcopal church ; is 12 miles north of 
Dover, 64 south of Philadelphia, and 153 from 
Washington city. 

Bliford., a post tovv^n, situated on the north 
side of Mispiliion creek, which divides, in parf, 



184 Geographical Description 

the counties of Kent and Sussex. The creek 
is navigable in shallops carrying 1,30Q bushels 
of grain. It carries on a brisker trade than 
any other town, in this part of the state. It 
contains about 100 dwellings, a church for 
Presbyterians, one for Episcopalians, and one 
for Methodists, who are the most numerous. 
It is miles south of Dover, and 136 from 
Washington city. 

Whit e ly s bur g-^ a village in which a post of* 
fice is established. It is 117 miles from Wash- 
ington city. 

Frederica, a small post town, situated on 
Murderkill, which is navigable in shallops car- 
rying 1,300 bushels of grain. It contains 
about 40 dwellings, about one third of . which 
are brick, and the rest wood. It is seven 
miles from Milford, 12 south by east of Dover, 
and 129 from Washington city. 

pamde?}, a small village a few miles south of 
Dover. 

SUSSEX. 

A large maritime county, 44 miles in length, 
and 43 in breadth, containing 576,000 acres. 

It is bounded north by Kent county, west 
and south by the state of Maryland, north east 
by the bay of Delaware, and east by the At- 
lantic ocean. 

It contained in 1790—- 16,403 free inhabit- 
ants, and 4,025 slaves; and, in 1800 — 16,528 
free inhabitants, and ^830 slaves ; increase of 



of the State of Delarvare, 185 

free persons, in ten years, 125, and decrease 
of slaves, 1,195. 

The principal waters are Indian river. It 
rises in the interior of the county, runs south, 
and receives the redundant waters of Rehoboth 
bay, by a very shallow communication, near 
its inlet from the Atlantic ocean. The passage 
of this river into the sea, is very shallow, and 
contracted, often changes, and is extrem'ely 
difficult, and dangerous. 

Lewes creek receives a small stream which 
branches from Coolspring creek, and empties 
into the bay of Delaware.'-^ Broadkill runs 
north east about 12 miles, and falls into the 
bay at less than a mile north west of the mouth 
of Lewes creek. f 

Pokomoke river rises in the cypress swamp, 
in the south end of the county, and flowing 
south west nearly parallel to the shore of the 
Atlantic, almost entirely in the state of Mary- 
land, falls into the Chesapeak bay. 

The head branches of Nanticoke river, which 
is the most considerable, water the one third 
part of the county. After uniting they flow 
south west through the Eastern Shore of Ma- 
ryland, and empty into the Chesapeak bay. 
That part of the Nanticoke, v/hich flows 
through Sussex county, is a beautiful river. 
It is navigable at common tides in vessels 
drawing 12 feet water, up to Seaford, a small 



See Lewestown, page 39. f See Milton, p^ 40; 
R2 



186 Geographical Description 

village on its north west side, nearly opposite 
the mouth of Deep creek. 

On the coast, in Indian river, Rehohoth bay, 
and in the creeks, are caught shad, rock, trout, 
mullet, herrings, crocus, sand perch, drums, 
sheepshead, oysters, cockles, &c. 

The principal growth of trees is pitch pine, 
red and vrhite oaks, with some walnut, poplar, 
beech, gum, maple, sassafras, and hickory, 
The fruit trees are those of, apples, pears, 
peaches, plums, cherries, &c, which produce 
abundance of excellent fruit. 

The lands are exceedingly level, and the soil 
light and sandy. Indian corn is the principal 
grain which it produces to any advantage. In 
some few places it produces tolerable crops of 
wheat. The inhabitants also raise rye, flax, 
and sweet potatoes ; with a great plenty of es- 
culent roots and vegetables. 

Towards the |iead branches of Nanticoke 
riv-er are mines of bog iron ore. A blqomery 
has these many years been in operation. Xt 
manufactures the ore into bar iron. 

In the south end of the county is a large re- ^ 
markable swamp, called the cedar or cypress 
swamp. It extends into Worcester county, in 
the state of Maryland, and is about three miles 
west of Dagsbdrough. It is reckoned about 
seven miles in length, and five in breadth, and 
about 20 in circumference. About two thirds 
of the swamp is situated in the state of Dela- 
ware. It is very much indented by lon^ and 
narrow necks of land? On the no:^th and nortji 



tf the State of Delaware. 187 

east sides, it is surrounded with a gum swamp, 
about half a mile wide, differing only in tim- 
ber and soil, and on the west and south west 
with a bald cypress swamp. It appears, from 
the course of the waters, to be the highest land 
in this part of the country, notwithstanding it 
is, except in very dry weather, partly covered 
with water ; so that in order to get at the tim- 
ber, in the interior of the swamp, roads, and 
bridges, of cedar logs have been made through 
it in different directions. It almost always 
happens, in heavy rains, that the bridges are 
removed, by the floods, from the roads to other 
parts of the swamp, and the communication 
from one part to another entirely interrupted. 

The soil on the surface for about two feet in 
depth, is a black spongy earth, and underneath is 
a white loose sand. A pole may, by the force 
of a man, be thrust down to the depth of six 
or eight feet. Wild grass grows, in many 
places, to the height of three and four feet. 

The Avater is said to be remarkably whole- 
some. It resembles in colour strong beer, and 
has a slight acid taste, supposed to arise from 
the roots of the cedar. The water operates oir 
those who are not accustomed to drink it, as a 
cathartic. 

The swamp is reckoned the healthiest part in 
all the lower counties in the peninsula. The 
men who work at cutting, sawing timber, and 
making shingles, enjoy an uninterrupted state 
of good health, whilst those who live at the dis- 
tance of two, three, or four miles from the 



188 Geographical Description 

swamp, have sallow looks and a meagre ap- 
pearance. 

The following are the hundreds into which 
Sussex county is divided, beginning north with 
the population of each in 1 800. 



Cedar Creek 


Free persons. 
2133 


Slaves. 
383 


Broadkill 


2286 


255 


Lewes and Rehoboth 1275 


239 


North West Fork 


2082 


459 


Indian River 


1307 


240 


Dagsborough 
Broad Creek 


1148 
1586 


270 

235 


Baltimore 


1239 


256 


Little Creek 


1909 


255 


Total, 


16,582 


2,830 



The lands on the south west entrance of De- 
laware bay, were claimed by the Dutch and 
Swedes, at different times before the year 1630. 
At this period the first fortifications were 
erected on the west bank of the Whoarkill, 
now called Lewes creek, at a place called by 
them " Deal," which has since been named by 
the English, " Lewes." 

The Dutch were reinforced in 1655, some 
of whose descendants still remain in Sussex. 

They surrendered to the English in 1664. 
The planters were permitted to continue their 
possessions. This settlement was confirmed to 
the English, by the treaty of 1Q74 with Hoi- 



of the State of Delaware, 189 

land. The rights of individuals were reserved 
in the exchanged territories. The Dutch fami- 
lies accordingly kept possession of many of the 
most valuable tracts of land near Lewes, and 
took out grants for the same under the duke of 
York, to whom the settlement had been grant- 
ed, and who sold it to William Penn in 1682. 

Georgetoxvn^ a post town, and the seat of jus- 
tice for the county. It is situatedjnear the cen- 
tre of the county, and contains about 30 houses, 
a church for Episcopalians, one for Methodists-, 
a court house and jail. 

This place was fixed on by commissioners, 
duly authorised to choose a spot whereon to 
erect buildings for the accommodation of the 
courts of justice, and was supposed to be the 
centre of the county ; but the centre of popu- 
lation is much more easterly. 

It is surrounded with swamps, which will 
probably never be improved, and is by far the 
least desirable part of the county. It is 103 
miles south of Philadelphia, and 158 from 
Washington city, 

Leivestown^ a post town, situated on the west 
side of Lewes creek, immediately open to De- 
laware bay, which is half a mile distant. The 
creek runs nearly parallel to the shore and 
divides it from the town. It is within three 
miles of the light house on Cape Henlopen, 
and was formerly the seat of justice for the 
county. It contains a Presbyterian, an Epis- 
copal, and a Methodist church, and about 80 
dwellings. The Presbyterian church is built 



190 Geographical Description 

of brick, and is the oldest church in these parts. 
It was built in 1728. The first minister that 
settled at Lewes was a Mr. Black, in 1708. 

Lewes is esteemed by all, the most healthy 
and pleasant situation of any in the two lower 
counties of the state. The soil in the vicinity, 
is fertile, and in a high state of cultivation. 

The creek is navigable in small vessels. The 
depth of water is about six feet. The lands in. 
the county, within a few miles of the sea and, 
bay, are generally fertile. The navigation of 
Rehoboth baj- being almost impracticable, large 
quantities of grain are annually exported from 
Lewes. It is the only place from which the 
produce of the hundred is sent to market. 

The navigation of Lewes creek might be 
greatly improved by cutting a canal from its 
source to Rehoboth bay, a distance of about 
half ti mile, as the water would flow out of the 
bay into Lewes creek. 

Lewestown is 120 miles south of Philadel- 
phia, and 178 from Washington city. 

Dagsboroughy a small post town, situated on 
the north side of Piper's creek. It contains' 
about 20 dwellings, an Episcopal church, a grist 
and saw mill, and a large tanyard. It is 20 miles 
from Lewestown. 

Milton^ formerly called " The head of Broad- 
kill," a post town, situated on both sides of the 
creek. It contains about 40 dwellings, a Me- 
thodist church, and 300 inhabitants, about one 
half of whom are Methodists. 



of the State of Delaware, 191 

The Broadkill from Milton, which is situat- 
ed at the head of navigation, meanders nearly 
in a north east direction, and empties into De- 
laware bay, at less than a mile north west of the 
mouth of Lewes creek. Its whole course from 
Milton, by its meanderings, is about 12 miles, 
but by land not more than eight. It is naviga- 
ble in shallops drawing about six feet water, 
and carrying from 1,600 to 2,000 bushels of 
grain. About 70,000 bushels of Indian corn, 
besides other grain, are annually sent from 
Milton and Broadkill, to Philadelphia and other 
ports. 

Within about half a mile of the town are two 
saw mills ; three others, an excellent merchant 
mill, and five grist mills within three miles. 

It is 12 miles from LewestoAv^n. 

Concord^ a small post town, situated on Deep 
creek, a branch of Nanticoke river, which runs 
east nearly parallel to Broad creek. This 
stream is excellent. At Concord are a grist 
and a saw mill, and formerly a furnace, and 
one on the same creek about three miles higher 
up. It is 159 miles from Washington city. 

Laureltown^ a small post town, situated on 
both sides of Broad creek, a branch of Nanti- 
coke river. It contains about 40 houies, a 
Presbyterian and Methodist church. It is 12 
miles from Georgetown, and 153 from Wash- 
ington city. 



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